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Mumbojumbo Posted 20 years ago
Grammar

Happy for/about

What is the difference between 'happy for' and 'happy about'? Please give some examples.

Is 'happy for you' common in AmE or BrE?

Thanks

MJ.
  

Top answer

1) To be happy about = satisfied with is about subjects, matters, situations ---------- She chose to leave, and I sincerely think she is happy about her decision . I personally am therefore happy for her. If someone finds a newsgroup stressful, there is no sense in staying.

— Marius Hancu

  • 1) To be happy about = satisfied with is about subjects, matters, situations ---------- She chose to leave, and I sincerely think she is happy about her decision .
  • I personally am therefore happy for her.
  • If someone finds a newsgroup stressful, there is no sense in staying.
  • " I'm not happy about added pressure ---------- 2) To be happy for is many times about people as in happy for you, it can also mean thankful for, as in: many people are happy for whatever help they can get What are we happy for today?
  • ) Indicating duration: may you both be happy for a very long time BUT: I'm happy for you to disagree , as long as you don't attempt to prescribe your version [ I have no objection to your disagreeing with me ]
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9 Answers
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1)

To be happy about = satisfied with
is about subjects, matters, situations
----------
She chose to leave, and I sincerely think she is happy about her
decision. I personally am therefore happy for her. If someone finds a
newsgroup stressful, there is no sense in staying.

Not to mention that Google isn't al
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Also, while I can't speak for BrE, "I'm happy for you" is very common in American English.
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Hi guys,

I'd say a simple way to look at I'm happy for you is that I'm happy that you are happy.

Best wishes, Clive
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Even better: «If I were you I would be happy».

EDIT: Marius Hancu: I was wrong, ofc.
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Ant_222Even better: «If I were you I would be happy».
Not the same meaning.
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and how about 'happy with' ?

Is this the same meaning as happy about?
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Hi,

These prepositions get a bit subtle. These expressions can often be interchanged, but here are a couple of comments.

I'm happy about your new job. Sounds OK

I'm happy with your new job. Sounds a little odd, because your new job does not directly affect me.

I'm happy about my new
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'May you both be happy for a very long time.'

I agree that for indicates duration in this sentence but it belongs to the expression for a very long time and thus has nothing to do with happy.

Other examples:
I have known him for a very long time.
I won't see him for a very long time.
He has been ill for a very long time.

For can
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I forgot to mention that happy at is also possible and usually followed by a gerund:

He wasn't exactly happy at being excluded from the team.
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