Prepositions are hard, and these are the ones that confuse me the most:

  • It seems (…) [to / for] me
  • It looks like (…) [to / for] me
  • It feels (…) [to / for] me
  • It sounds like (…) [to / for] me
  • (…) makes more sense [to / for] me

Questions:

  • Are both valid?
    • If both are valid; is there any nuance as to which to use?
    • If they aren’t: is there a general rule or is it a case-by-case (as it usually is with prepositions)?

Thanks!

  • Hawke@lemmy.worldEnglish
    3·
    1 year ago

    Yes. The only case I can think of where I might say “for me” in one of those is talking about an inevitable future event where I have no real choice.

    e.g. if I only have beans in my cupboard, I might reasonably say “it looks like beans for me [for supper tonight]”. Or if I am sure I will die soon, “it seems like the end for me.”

    • Pat@kbin.run
      4·
      1 year ago

      As a native English speaker it always blows my mind when people explain the unwritten rules. I know there’s a reason some things sound more “proper” than others but just think “that’s the way it is” without understanding the core reasoning. I feel like I had an epiphany after reading this lol

    • Crul@lemmy.worldOPEnglish
      3·
      1 year ago

      That makes sense!
      So “for me” implies something is forced upon you, and it has nothing to do with what your opinion is about that thing… right?

      Thanks!

      • Hawke@lemmy.worldEnglish
        3·
        1 year ago

        Yes, exactly!

        Although I could express an opinion if I put “for me” first. Like “for me, beans are the worst meal ever”.