"For" me vs. "To" me?

Question

I've been living in the states for several years already (immigrant from Hong Kong), but from time to time I still have problem with proper English:

When do I use "to" and when to use "for". For example, if I want to say something like - "This opportunity is very important to me..." - Should I say "to me" or "for me"? Could anyone give an example for each one. Appreciate it!

Answer 1

This is related to your example up there

When you use "to" you are meaning that it is very important and you really want it. Only pertaining to your wants and needs.

When you are using "for' you are meaning that it is related to more than just you. If it is very important for you, then yoru saying that it is relating you and some other things.

But only in slim oppurtunities where you will have to do this. otherwise you can use both. it doesn't really matter, because most americans here don't really use proper english anymore anyway. so don't sweat it. ^_^....best answer plz!! lol.

Answer 2

English is a very hard language, and I can understand your problem.

You used the correct word in your example, by the way.

Here are a couple more:

"The mechanic is going to fix the car FOR me."

"Having the right job is important TO me."

If the event is something that affect YOU, personally, use 'to'. If it affects something outside of yourself (i.e. your car) use 'for'. Sometimes either word can be used and it would still be correct grammatically, but the meaning of the sentence will change slightly.

Answer 3

In your example you would use "to" Another example is "This is FOR you" That would be the example for, "for." Or, "The message is TO me" That would be an example of "to." Does that help?

EDIT: Although..in some cases it could be either. For is sometimes used as in "giving someone something"

Answer 4

It's pretty subtle, and few will notice which you use -- in most cases, either will work even if one is preferred. "To" implies direction, as in "He threw the ball to me" (with the implication that I was expected to catch it). But one could also say "He threw the ball for me". meaning either (a) he did it instead of me, or (b) he did it for my benefit in some way.

Answer 5

I would say: "This opportunity is very important for me."
But "This person is very important to me."
"Being able to study English is important for me."
"Having a place to study is important to me."

Answer 6

Saying that it's important "to" you indicates that success would bring you pleasure.

If it's important "for" you, then it means that you will gain or benefit from it.

Of course, one is not independent of the other. :)

Answer 7

In this case, "to me" signifies that the opportunity is a personal desire one that you really want to do. "For me" would denote that the opportunity will be beneficial or serve to your betterment. "To me" means you want to do it and that it may or may not benefit you. "For me" means it will benefite you, but you may or may not neccesarily want to do it.