Is it wrong to say 'it means a lot FOR me' instead of 'To me', I wrote that in my university statement!!!
My mother tongue is German by the way!
2007-03-09 03:12:55 · 22 answers · asked by Natalie 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
Guten Tag!
It means a lot For me - means this could do great things for me in my life.
It means a lot To me - means I want this as a personal goal.
I think you will be fine either way.
Peace!
2007-03-09 03:19:02 · answer #1 · answered by carole 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Well, I'd need to see the sentence in context. The "it" in this case is ambiguous and I don't what, if anything, preceeded or followed that phrase. If you simply wrote, "It means a lot for me," I would have to say that it is akward usage and "to" would have been more appropriate.
That being said, English is an incredibly difficult language to learn as a second language. In my studies of other language (German being my second as it happens), I have found myself extremely greatful to have learned English from birth. It is so full of exceptions to every rule I often wonder how you do it! So I commend you on that. I also know that in German for instance, there are many less prepositions than there are in English. I still sing the little song my professor taught us to remember the nine of them.
Take heart! I am confident in my experience in higher education that your status as a non-native speaker will be taken into consideration. I say that both as a former student and a professor. Next time I suggest asking the community the question before you send the essay. Good luck!
2007-03-09 03:24:25 · answer #2 · answered by rumezzo 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I think that if you play up your native language it will not matter, but to say "it means a lot FOR me" might come across as a little needy or desperate, where as "it means a lot TO me" has a bit of an emotional tag with your statement. I agree, this is just arguing semantics, but college professors will sometimes base an entire essay on one phrase in it.
You should be fine though if they know you are from another country.
By the way, it is NOT incorrect english as some armchair english professors might lead you to believe. It just has a slightly different meaning.
2007-03-09 03:21:24 · answer #3 · answered by dusmul78 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
It would depend somewhat on the construction. I don't think that anyone would be concerned about any very slight error of this kind (if, indeed, there is any error, which I doubt!) It is in any case well known that the standard of English in German candidates for University is all too often higher than that of English speaking candidates. This is not my personal assessment: it is something which has been well documented. Best of luck with your application!
2007-03-09 03:19:25 · answer #4 · answered by Doethineb 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It depends on the structure of the rest of the sentence. It would be correct to say "getting into this university means a lot TO me" but you could also say "it means a lot FOR me to get into this university"
2007-03-09 03:15:12 · answer #5 · answered by agius1520 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
It is incorrect English, and I think especially a university mucky-muck would notice, and that might reflect badly on you. As far as your mother tongue being German, what does that matter? It doesn't make a difference to how you are supposed to speak/write English.
2007-03-09 03:20:53 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
It depends on the context of the sentence.
If you said "it means a lot for me to be here today" then that's of but if it is "it means a lot for me to gain entrance to university" that that would be wrong.
I am sure that it will be fine, don't worry.
Good luck
2007-03-09 03:18:14 · answer #7 · answered by cathandmike 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes, it's wrong. But the person who reads it will probably be reading hundreds of others and probably won't notice ... unless you've made many other mistakes.
And I'm an English teacher. There's no grammatical reason why - it's just not the expression that is used. It sounds wrong, which is why you asked the question.
2007-03-09 03:46:34 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
It is not gramatically incorrect to say, but it might cloud the meaning of your sentence or make it awkward depending on what you are trying to say.
"For me" might imply a consequence specific to you. For example "A raise would mean a lot for me financially". You could not use "to me" in the same way.
2007-03-09 03:22:09 · answer #9 · answered by zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
it can be used either way. Such as if you were to say it means a lot for me to go to school. It isnt personal but more towards other people. Saying it means a lot to me to go to school, is a personal response.
2007-03-09 03:16:33 · answer #10 · answered by bhamonkey 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋