to 和 for 作“对于”解时有何不同?

有一读者问: to 和 for 作“对(于)”解时有何区别?

这两个介词作“对(于)”解时,一般地说, for 强调“客观情况”, to 则强调“主观意向”。试比较:

(1)Exercise is good for the health.

(2)Exercise is good to the health.

但这两个介词作“对(于)”解时并不常互换使用。这时就需要一一牢记它们各自不同的搭配。这种搭配与其说有什么理由可讲,不如说是习惯使然。下面就让我们举一些例证,以见一斑。

for 作“对(于)”解时多与名词和形容词搭配。如:

(3)He had a love for pictures. (与名词 love 搭配)

(4)I have no ear for music. (与名词 ear 搭配)

(5)Smoking is bad for one's health. (与形容词 bad 搭配)

(6)The dog is too old for a hunt. (与“too+形容词”搭配)

但也可与某些动词搭配。如:

(7)How do you account for that?(与动词 account 搭配,其义为“对……做出解释”)

to 作“对(于)”解的用法较为广泛,它可以与名词、形容词搭配,也可以与动词搭配。与名词搭配,如:

(8)It was an introduction to English literature. (与名词 introduction 搭配)

(9)It is a major contribution to world peace. (与名词 contribution 搭配)

与形容词搭配,如:

(10)He was deaf to our explanation. (与形容词 deaf 搭配)

(11)Films are sensitive to light. (与形容词 sensitive 搭配)

与动词搭配,如:

(12)I agree to the proposal. (与动词 agree 搭配)

(13)I won't reply to this letter. (与动词 reply 搭配)