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For someone / to someone



 
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ESL Forums | English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms
A runner up (refers to a word) | Time of the verb
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For someone / to someone Wed Sep 22, 2004 18:17 pm  For someone / to someone
 

Hello,

I have a problem how to use for / to + someone correctly in English sentences.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

A. It's very important for students to study English every day.

B. It's important for doctors to know that what patients need.

C. It's important to me that he reads my novels.

Those sentences are all from dictionaries.

I'd like to know if I can use 'for' with the example C as a replacement of 'to.'

Teachers, could you please tell me how I should choose 'to' and 'for' correctly.... ? I mean, how to use them to make sense?

Many thanks in advance. Wink

Kumi
Kumi
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Joined: 02 Dec 2003
Posts: 29
Location: Japan

To or for Wed Sep 22, 2004 20:58 pm  To or for
 

Hi,

All I can say is that generally (and that means NOT in all cases) 'to' is direct and personal and 'for' is on behalf of. In the sentence: I don't like what you have done to me , means what you have done personally directly to me but I don't like what you have done for me, means what you have done in order to help/please me in the sense of on my behalf.

Hope this helps

Alan
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For someone / to someone Fri Sep 24, 2004 4:19 am  For someone / to someone
 

Hello Alan,

Thank you very much for your reply.
I think I understand the general idea of them.

Let me ask you one more question about it.

C. It's important to me that he reads my novels.

If I substitute "for" for "to", does the sentence still make sense for you?

e.g. It's important for me that he reads my novels.
If I mean to say the fact he reads my novels will make me really pleased or happy..... does this sentence work? Or, does it gramatically incorrect? (I'm afraid it could be very odd.....)
I'm sorry for asking again, but I look forward to your reply.

Many thanks in advance.

Kumi
Kumi
I'm new here and I like it ;-)


Joined: 02 Dec 2003
Posts: 29
Location: Japan

For/to Fri Sep 24, 2004 19:40 pm  For/to
 

Hi,

Again I can only repeat that 'for' is less direct and 'to' is personal and direct. Yes, it is possible to use 'for' in your sentence and the meaning suggests 'as far as I am concerned'. And in your question I would say: 'does it still make sense TO you?'

Alan
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