Which is Correct: 'To Those' or 'For Those'

The choice between to and for is often used when indicating direction or addressing a group. However, the appropriate use of these prepositions significantly alters the meaning of a sentence. Deciding which is more suitable depends on the context.

Understand the Context

When asking a question involving a very short phrase, it is crucial not to leave out the most important thing: the context. Both to and for are legitimate prepositions, and those is a legitimate word. However, without providing a whole sentence, it's impossible to determine whether to or for is correct in a given sentence.

Examples of Usage

Both to and for have distinct meanings and contexts. Here are some examples:

Using 'To'

"I'm going to those cities."
This sentence indicates a movement towards or a destination.

"Throw the ball back to those kids."
In this example, the action is directed to a specific group.

Using 'For'

"Why did he buy food for those guys?"
This sentence suggests the purpose or intended use.

"It's hard to find good accessories for those types of clothes."
Here, the preposition implies suitability or appropriateness.

Addressing a Group

When addressing a certain group of people, both "To those" and "For those" can be used, but "To those" might work better in many situations. For instance:

To Those

"To those who deserve it will be compensated accordingly for their much appreciated efforts made in getting this project off the ground and ready on time "

For Those

"For those of you who have been selected to take part in this project will be compensated accordingly if you manage to get it off the ground and ready on time."

Lexical Clarity: Affect vs. Effect

While the prepositions to and for are crucial, there are other words that can confuse learners of English. The words affect and effect are often mixed up due to their phonetic similarities. Here’s a brief clarification:

Affect

The word affect means to influence a situation or feeling. For example:

"The breakup has affected her badly."
This sentence indicates the impact or influence.

Effect

The word effect means the result or consequence of an action or situation. For example:

"Lockdown has its own positive effects on the environment."
This sentence describes the outcome or results of the lockdown.

Special Usage: 'To That Effect'

To convey a specific idea or intention, to that effect is used. For example:

"She said she will not go with him to that effect."
This phrase is used to indicate the specific intention or notion.

Conclusion

Both to and for are correct but not in the same contexts. Understanding the context and the meanings of the words helps in making the right choice between these prepositions. Adding the context can significantly improve the clarity and accuracy of your writing or speech.