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Taka Posted 14 years ago
Grammar

For/to

Which works better? Or they equally work but the meanings are a bit different?

For Japanese, tea is not just a beverage.
To Japanese, tea is not just a beverage.
  

Top answer

They both work fine.

  • They both work fine.
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14 Answers
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I see.

And no difference of nuance or shade between the two?
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Hi,

Speaking as on who has never been to Japan, I always hear the form 'for/to the Japanese'.

Clive
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CliveHi,Speaking as on who has never been to Japan, I always hear the form 'for/to the Japanese'.Clive
As a general statement, is that article really necessary, Clive?
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Hi,

It's not necessary, but I'm just telling you what is almost always said, in my experience.
The lack of an article sounded odd enough for me to write my comment.

Clive
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I guess the reason why you've seen many examples of 'the Japanese' might be that they are about the typical Japanese, so the definite article works to imply typicality.
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Hi,

Off hand, I can't think of a statement where I wouldn't use the article.

Clive
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Here we go:

To Westerners, it may seem a bit strange to arrange nature to look like nature; but to Japanese, even nature can be improved upon to make it more pleasing through the best possible use of limited space. (Beth Reiber - 2010)
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TakaHere we go:To Westerners, it may seem a bit strange to arrange nature to look like nature; but to Japanese, even nature can be improved upon to make it more pleasing through the best possible use of limited space. (Beth Reiber - 2010)
I'm with Clive on this one, and I don't even know why. If it was Luxembourgers or Italians, I wouldn't miss the article, an
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Hi,

I would be inclined to say 'the Japanese' there.

I never said that the lack of an article was wrong. I just pointed out what I normally say and encounter.

Say what you will.

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