TO Vs FOR

[refiner]

Hi,

Are there any rules for using to or for in sentences?

I often get confused! Please explain or point me to something simple and useful...

Regards
refiner

 

[Anglika]

Prepositions - The OWL at Purdue

 

[Jerry97]

Prepositions - The OWL at Purdue

Elsewhere someone wrote, "The new college caters for the needs of students." ...... When I suggested that that sentence should read "caters to" instead of "for", I was told I was wrong.

What do you think?

 

[David L.]

You were right.
"Cater" takes both prepositions, the difference being:
when we 'cater for', we provide with food and drink, as in "cater for a buffet dinner".
when we 'cater to', we provide a person with what is needed or required : "The school caters to children with learning difficulties."
or
we try to satisfy a particular need or demand : "He catered to her every whim."

 

[Jerry97]

David L -

Thanks ... that's a perfect explanation for something I knew instinctively but couldn't put into words.

 

[refiner]

Anglika, David and Jerry97 many thanks for your replies :up: