For someone / to someone

[Kumi]

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.

Kumi

[Alan]

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
_________________
English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Adverbs

[Kumi]

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

[Alan]

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
_________________
English as a Foreign Language
You can read my EFL story Saying It Twice