To Me vs. For Me
2022-07-02
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1Hello! This week on Ask a Teacher, we will answer a question from Maria, a teacher from Brazil, about the difference between "to me" and "for me."
2Hello,
3If I am asking a student to read in class, should I say "to me" or "for me?" I would to know which one is correct.
4Could you read it to me? or
5Could you read it for me?
6Thanks a lot,
7Maria
8Dear Maria,
9Thank you for writing to us. Both of these questions can be correct.
10The choice of "to me" or "for me" depends on the meaning you would like to express.
11In the examples you sent us, "to" and "for" are both used as prepositions.
12Prepositions are a word or group of words that is used with a noun, pronoun, or noun phrase to show physical direction, location, time, or to introduce an object.
13"To" and "for" in the examples you sent are used to introduce an object, but the meanings are different.
14We will take a closer look at these differences.
15"To" is used to show the physical direction of an action.
16But in your example, the use slightly changes.
17Could you read it to me?
18In your example, "to" is used to show who the action of reading is directed towards.
19The object of the preposition is "me", receiving the action of reading.
20It is like asking:
21Could you direct your reading towards me?
22You could have also said:
23Could you read it to us?
24In this example "us" would be the whole class.
25The preposition of "for" can have many meanings.
26Could you read it for me?
27The preposition of "for" in this example means "in place of," "to help," or "on behalf of."
28"Me" is again the object of the preposition.
29So, instead of you reading a story, you are asking the student to read a story in place of you or to help you by reading it.
30If something is directed towards you and you are receiving the action, use "to me."
31Another example is:
32Could you bring my science book to me?
33Here you are asking someone to bring your book to you. You will receive it and take it with you.
34But if you ask,
35Could you bring my science book for me?
36you are requesting that someone brings your book in place of you bringing it.
37They will take it with them to class, instead of you taking it.
38"For me" is used if you are asking someone to do something on behalf of you, in place of you doing it, or to help you.
39Please let us know if these example s and explanations have helped you, Maria!
40What question do you have about American English? Send us an email at learningenglish@voanews.com
41And that's Ask a Teacher.
42I'm Faith Pirlo.
1Hello! This week on Ask a Teacher, we will answer a question from Maria, a teacher from Brazil, about the difference between "to me" and "for me." 2Question: 3Hello, 4If I am asking a student to read in class, should I say "to me" or "for me?" I would to know which one is correct. 5Could you read it to me? or 6Could you read it for me? 7Thanks a lot, 8Maria 9Answer: 10Dear Maria, 11Thank you for writing to us. Both of these questions can be correct. The choice of "to me" or "for me" depends on the meaning you would like to express. 12In the examples you sent us, "to" and "for" are both used as prepositions. Prepositions are a word or group of words that is used with a noun, pronoun, or noun phrase to show physical direction, location, time, or to introduce an object. 13"To" and "for" in the examples you sent are used to introduce an object, but the meanings are different. 14We will take a closer look at these differences. 15To me 16"To" is used to show the physical direction of an action. But in your example, the use slightly changes. 17Could you read it to me? 18In your example, "to" is used to show who the action of reading is directed towards. 19The object of the preposition is "me", receiving the action of reading. 20It is like asking: 21Could you direct your reading towards me? 22You could have also said: 23Could you read it to us? 24In this example "us" would be the whole class. 25For me 26The preposition of "for" can have many meanings. 27Could you read it for me? 28The preposition of "for" in this example means "in place of," "to help," or "on behalf of." 29"Me" is again the object of the preposition. 30So, instead of you reading a story, you are asking the student to read a story in place of you or to help you by reading it. 31Summary 32If something is directed towards you and you are receiving the action, use "to me." 33Another example is: 34Could you bring my science book to me? 35Here you are asking someone to bring your book to you. You will receive it and take it with you. 36But if you ask, 37Could you bring my science book for me? 38you are requesting that someone brings your book in place of you bringing it. They will take it with them to class, instead of you taking it. 39"For me" is used if you are asking someone to do something on behalf of you, in place of you doing it, or to help you. 40Please let us know if these example s and explanations have helped you, Maria! 41What question do you have about American English? Send us an email at learningenglish@voanews.com 42And that's Ask a Teacher. 43I'm Faith Pirlo. 44Faith Pirlo wrote this lesson for VOA Learning English. 45Do you have a question for the teacher? We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section.