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Vincent Teo Posted 18 years ago
Grammar

distribute to / for

Can I say,

(a) Our teacher distributed the gifts to / for the children.
  

Top answer

Either is ok, but I also think there could be a slight difference between them. I think that "to" implies that the gifts are from the teacher to the children, and "for" implies that the gifts came from somewhere else and that the teacher is distributing them.

— Tidus

  • Either is ok, but I also think there could be a slight difference between them.
  • I think that "to" implies that the gifts are from the teacher to the children, and "for" implies that the gifts came from somewhere else and that the teacher is distributing them.
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5 Answers
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Either is ok, but I also think there could be a slight difference between them. I think that "to" implies that the gifts are from the teacher to the children, and "for" implies that the gifts came from somewhere else and that the teacher is distributing them.
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Hi,

In my opinion - distribute something to (receivers) / for (givers / senders).
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to shows who actually received the gifts.
for shows who the intended recipients were.

Thus, it is possible to say:

Our teacher mistakenly distributed the gifts for the children to the adults and distributed the gifts for the adults to the children.

CJ

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CalifJimto shows who actually received the gifts.
for shows who the intended recipients were.

Thus, it is possible to say:

Our teacher mistakenly distributed the gifts for the children to the adults and distributed the gifts for the adults to the children.

CJ

Hi CalifJim,

Wouldn
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Yes, you're right.
for can also mean instead of in the sense of on whose behalf.
CJ
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