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MUSCOVITE Posted 12 years ago
Grammar
"father TO" sb VS "father OF sb"
Hi,
The following is from the Internet:
Barack Obama, Sr. (1936–1982), Kenyan economist and father to Barack Obama.
Could you please explain why the preposition "to" (not "of") is used above?
mus-te
The following is from the Internet:
Barack Obama, Sr. (1936–1982), Kenyan economist and father to Barack Obama.
Could you please explain why the preposition "to" (not "of") is used above?
mus-te
Top answer
I believe that of is more common; to may be regional, but I'm not sure where.
- I believe that of is more common; to may be regional, but I'm not sure where.
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4 Answers
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I believe that of is more common; to may be regional, but I'm not sure where.
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Had I not seen the context, I would have said that "father of" was about biology while "father to" was more about the role a person plays in someone's life.
The loss of a close family friend/an uncle could lead to saying something like "Bill was like a father to that boy" (especially if "that boy's" father were not around).
My husband is not the biological father OF my children,
The loss of a close family friend/an uncle could lead to saying something like "Bill was like a father to that boy" (especially if "that boy's" father were not around).
My husband is not the biological father OF my children,
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I think your comments on farther of vs father to are ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT!! Thank you so much 
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