advantage to sth.

[Lenka]

Could you tell me if the preposition "to" (after "advantages") in the sentence below is correct, please? Could I replace it with "of"? If so, would it sound better than "to"?

"But don't you think there are also certain advantages to this system?"

[mykwyner]

In many cases, like this one, preposition usage is governed by common usage rather than any particular rule. I would use to in your sentence, but I wouldn't think it unusual at all to hear someone use of.

[BobK]

"of" suggests to me that there are, indisputably, advantages:

"I don't know whether there are any advantages to/in this system."

but

"Let me explain to you the advantages of this system."

But the implication is slight, and usage may differ from case to case.

b

[susiedqq]

"But don't you think there are also certain advantages to this system?"


Common usage suggests to me that "to" is the correct choice. I see a possibility of using "with" or "within", also. "Of" sounds awkward to me unless the statement is finished with a comparison such as, "of this system to another".

[Lenka]

Hmmmm.... Thank you for your replies!
It seems that one can't learn how to speak well unless he or she speaks and hears the language every day (or at least often) or lives in an English speaking country.

[BobK]

Hmmmm.... Thank you for your replies!
It seems that one can't learn how to speak well unless he or she speaks and hears the language every day (or at least often) or lives in an English speaking country.

It certainly helps; but you seem to manage very well without, Lenka.

b