free to students/free for students

[LiuJing]

The newspaper should be free to all the students.


The newspaper should be free for all the students.



Are both 'to' and 'for' correct?

[luschen]

I am not a teacher, but I think they are both correct.

[bhaisahab]

The newspaper should be free to all the students.


The newspaper should be free for all the students.



Are both 'to' and 'for' correct?

They are both fine.

[TheParser]

The newspaper should be free to all the students.


The newspaper should be free for all the students.



Are both 'to' and 'for' correct?

***** NOT A TEACHER *****


(1) This non-teacher may be wrong (and probably is), but he feels

that there may be a slight difference.

(a) We are planning a newspaper that will be free to all the students.

(i) I get the sense that you expect that all the students will want a copy

and will receive a copy.

(a) For example, copies will be distributed (free) in all the

classrooms. In theory, all the students at your school will receive

and (hopefully) read a copy.

(2) We are planning a newspaper that will be free for all the students.

(i) I get the idea that it will be available (free) if a student wants

a copy.

(a) For example, copies will be placed in newspaper boxes located

at different places on the campus, and students who are interested

will be able to get a copy -- if they so choose.

(3) If I were forced to choose, I should choose "to."

[freezeframe]

***** NOT A TEACHER *****


(1) This non-teacher may be wrong (and probably is), but he feels

that there may be a slight difference.

(a) We are planning a newspaper that will be free to all the students.

(i) I get the sense that you expect that all the students will want a copy

and will receive a copy.

(a) For example, copies will be distributed (free) in all the

classrooms. In theory, all the students at your school will receive

and (hopefully) read a copy.

(2) We are planning a newspaper that will be free for all the students.

(i) I get the idea that it will be available (free) if a student wants

a copy.

(a) For example, copies will be placed in newspaper boxes located

at different places on the campus, and students who are interested

will be able to get a copy -- if they so choose.

(3) If I were forced to choose, I should choose "to."

This may or may not be true, but I think it's a bit of over-thinking.