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Anonymous Posted 16 years ago
Grammar
Do I use "to" or "of" in this sentence?
Hi, my friend and I have been debating about this statement that he made, and which preposition should be used in this sentence. Here's the statement:
"The secret TO perfection is paying attention to the smallest details."
I said that instead of "TO", he should have used "OF", making the statement:
"The secret OF perfection is paying attention to the smallest details."
Any idea which preposition should be used, and an explanation as to why that preposition should be used over the other one? I would really appreciate it if anyone could shed some light on this query. Thanks again in advance for any help you may contribute!
-Problematic prepositioner
"The secret TO perfection is paying attention to the smallest details."
I said that instead of "TO", he should have used "OF", making the statement:
"The secret OF perfection is paying attention to the smallest details."
Any idea which preposition should be used, and an explanation as to why that preposition should be used over the other one? I would really appreciate it if anyone could shed some light on this query. Thanks again in advance for any help you may contribute!
-Problematic prepositioner
Top answer
Either one of those would be correct. When using to, it is understood that there is an implied verb (the secret to attaining perfection is, etc). In the second, the understanding would be that the secret to the condition of perfection is paying attention to the smallest details.
- Either one of those would be correct.
- When using to, it is understood that there is an implied verb (the secret to attaining perfection is, etc).
- In the second, the understanding would be that the secret to the condition of perfection is paying attention to the smallest details.
- There is a slight nuance in meaning, but it is really a difference without a distinction, so, happily, both you and your friend are correct.
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1 Answers
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Either one of those would be correct.
When using to, it is understood that there is an implied verb (the secret to attaining perfection is, etc).
In the second, the understanding would be that the secret to the condition of perfection is paying attention to the smallest details.
There is a slight nuance in meaning, but it is really a difference without a distinction, so
When using to, it is understood that there is an implied verb (the secret to attaining perfection is, etc).
In the second, the understanding would be that the secret to the condition of perfection is paying attention to the smallest details.
There is a slight nuance in meaning, but it is really a difference without a distinction, so
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