Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[tisogai]

Please tell me why to??

The leading actor was walking up and down in the wings learning the words to my songs in case I forgot them.

Does that have to be "to"? Not "of"??

Thanks.

[lotus]

Hi,

"To" is more appropriate because he is memorizing the words "to" his songs instead of "of" his songs.

Using "to" in this case has a sense of the words being physically attached to his songs; whereas "of his songs" has a sense of the words belonging to his songs. It is a subtle difference. But, there is a more tangible congnitive connection between the words and the songs when you use "to." He is, in essence, extracting the words from his songs and committing it to memory.


--lotus
_________________
War does not make one great --Yoda

[tisogai]

Hi Lotus,

Thanks for your reply. That is very clear and I understood well.

Let me ask you a follow-up question;

Is that the same kind as "to" in "wife to husband" ??

Thanks.