"because I am curious TO the rest of the world "
"because I am curious ABOUT the rest of the world "
Why I must use the word "about" but not "to"?
Can you tell me?
Thank you!
2007-05-19 03:36:35 · 11 answers · asked by swordxka 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
To be curious is an action by a volitional actor--YOU, let's say. The mental verbs to be ignorant, curious, knowledgeable refer to a "state", not a motive.
So one can desire to learn "about", but not discover "about" become more knowledgeable "about" but not more active "about" some field of facts.
The word "to" as opposed to "about" is attached to active emotions, not states of knowledge. So one can be eager "to", desire "to", set out "to", try "to", work 'to" know more about something.
But one can only be in a state of curiosity--be curious about--the subject.
One cannot be curious to the subject.
2007-05-19 03:50:32 · answer #1 · answered by Robert David M 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Both are acceptable sentences, but have different meanings.
1) '...because I am curious to the rest of the world'
Here, the main Subject is 'I am curious'
The meaning is 'I am a curious person', the speaker is describing himself as having a curious quality.
The phrase 'to the rest of the world', explains that only the rest of the world finds the speaker as having a curious quality. The speaker himself does not find himself curious.
You can switch places with the two phrases:
because I am curious to the rest of the world
because to the rest of the world, I am curious
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2) '...because I am curious ABOUT the rest of the world'
Here, the speaker is curious and having doubts. But he adds an important Object that he is curious about, 'the rest of the world'.
The speaker is being specific that he is not curious about everything, but specifically 'about the rest of the world'
You cannot switch around the phrases because 'about' has to follow after curious when you are mentioning specifically what you are curious about.
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examples:
(1) I am curious to people who dont know me well.
(2) I am curious about people i dont know well.
2007-05-19 10:53:17 · answer #2 · answered by achillespecies 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
These sentences mean different things. I would like to know which language you are starting from.
The first sentence means that the entire world thinks that you are curious (meaning strange)
The second sentence means that you have a curiosity about the world. (meaning you wonder what is out there in the rest of the world)
Most languages do not translate word for word and it is meaning for meaning.
I studied Spanish although I am a native English speaker. I find that I cannot translate word for word to my nonspanish speaking friends as things do not mean the same from one culture to another.
Hope this helps.
2007-05-19 10:48:40 · answer #3 · answered by beenthere 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you are curious TO the rest of the world, that means that the rest of the world thinks you are curious. The rest of the world is interested in you. If you are curious ABOUT the rest of the world, you are interested in the world. They are complete opposites.
2007-05-19 10:41:46 · answer #4 · answered by Enceladus 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
"Because I am curious TO the rest of the world" means the world is thinks your "curious"
"Because I am curious ABOUT the rest of the world" means that you are curious of the happenings and things in the rest of the world.
2007-05-19 10:42:33 · answer #5 · answered by Mulysa 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Used in that context, or environment, the two words have meanings travelling in opposite directions.
"to" is actually "towards". It means that you look curious in the direction, in the sight of the world.
About is in circumstance, around the subject in question, the world. you are curious around, about, on the subject of the world
2007-05-19 10:49:54 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
curious to the world makes it sound like the world is curious about you, using about makes it sound like you are curious about the world.
2007-05-19 10:40:18 · answer #7 · answered by *Scandinavian Sweetheart* 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is the simplest and most general way I can think of to explain it:
'About' is a preposition meaning 'on the subject of'. This is the meaning that is relevant in the context of what you are writing.
'To' is a preposition most commonly used to indicate motion or direction (among other things, none of which fit in this context).
2007-05-19 10:49:57 · answer #8 · answered by grammarhammer 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You use about because "about" shows that you are the contents of the world. "About" means you want to know the details. So if I say, "Tell me about yourself." I'm saying I want to know the contents of your life. What makes you who you are. I would not say, "Tell me "to" yourself.
You would use the word "to" primarily to show "assignment or possession" or "destination". For example, if I say "Joy to the World", I am assigning Joy as something that should go to the world - something I want the world to possess. Or I could say Happy Birthday to you. I want you to possess or have a happy birthday.
"To" can be also used to indicate a destination: "I am going to the store". "To" indicates the intention of arriving at a certain destination, the store, rather than just saying, "I am going straight", "Or I am going East", "to" here indicates your final destination.
2007-05-19 11:09:18 · answer #9 · answered by Teresa L 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Marine, I don't know what to tell you except that man, you really are "hung-up" on prepositions. Go to the library or any bookstore and get yourself a good grammar book that can explain the meaning and use of these little words better than anything I can tell you here.
Good luck Marine, and don't sweat the petty crap.
2007-05-19 11:04:19 · answer #10 · answered by soulguy85 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋