Korean Job Discussion Forums

kiwikid · Joined: 28 Mar 2003 Location: Seoul

A student asked me a question and I can't think how to answer it. She has learned 'for + noun' / 'to + verb'. She doesn't understand 'for someone' and 'to someone' and when to use these. Her example sentences are: It doesn't matter much to him. This portion is too much for me.
She doesn't understand why one is 'to him' and the other is 'for me'. Any ideas on how I can explain this are appreciated. Thanks.

freakyaye852 · Joined: 24 Feb 2010

Well for/to + noun is the indirect object. Just say that 'to' is used when there is some movement towards the noun, and say that 'for' is to help someone. Then make some examples. Plus 'to + verb' is the infinitive and doesn't have any bearing here.

Chambertin · Joined: 07 Jun 2009 Location: Gunsan

First of I hated learning English, so...
English grammar is more complicated than one of those decoders that came with crappy toys back in the 80's or the DRM crap with games in the 90's.

There's not really a great way to do it, but if you can make one of those rings it becomes easier.

Think of it kinda like a compass.
If the speaker and the subject are the same direction then use for. (me talking about me)
�That is too much for me.�
If the person speaking and the subject are different directions then use to. (me talking about you)
�It doest matter much to him�
EDIT:
Notice good and bad play little here.
That's not right for me.
That's just right for me.
Good and bad only come into play when the thrid and fourth slider move.

However remember that there is the third gimbal on this machine.
When the person speaking and the target are the same but the action is outside self control use to. (me talking about me but the action is outside)
�Oh such terrible things were done to me.�
When the person speaking and the subject are different directions but the action is controlled (me talking to you about what you do)
�I think you�re doing too much for him.�

Next, the Fourth slider.
The person speaking and the direction are the same, the action is outside of control but it is considered a beneficial action. (me talking about me but the action is uncontrolled and positive)
�I have had so much done for me.�
The person speaking and the subject are different directions, the action is controlled and negative. (me talking about you and how bad you are)
�Why do you always do that to him?�

If nothing else now you have a better perspective on why your students are confused.

Always remember this is English grammar, it was made only to keep people employed, especially teachers. So carry on the tradition of teaching it all incorrectly so that no rule lasts for more than 20 years and a whole new regime of grmmEr Nazis can be employed.

crossmr · Joined: 22 Nov 2008 Location: Hwayangdong, Seoul

I find a lot of prepositions are not wholly consistent, or the consistency is rather vague.

It is very difficult to sit down with someone and say:
Here are the rules for "for". In these situations you always use it 100% this way.

it won't be long before you start running into exceptions, or those situations will start getting ridiculously specific.

learning general rules for most situations and focusing on common verb + preposition rules with the understanding that there are always other unusual combinations out there will usually suffice in terms of understanding and use.