Meaning

TakaWhat is the semantic difference between "the meaning of life" and "the meaning to life"? No difference at all?

The difference is that I have never heard 'to'.

Then what about the difference between "a meaning of life" and "a meaning to life". Still, haven't you heard "to"? I believe you have, MM.

Taka I believe you have, MM.

Yes; in that case I haven't heard 'of'.

When it's "the meaning", it's "of". And when "a meaning", it's "to". Interesting, but why is that? Just a matter of collocations?

Plus, is it possible to generalize that when it's "the meaning", then it's "of X" and when "a meaning" then it's "to X"? Or it applies only to "life"?

TakaWhen it's "the meaning", it's "of". And when "a meaning", it's "to". Interesting, but why is that? Just a matter of collocations?

I suppose so; or logic.

What is the meaning of life?— The idea is that there is only one meaning.
A vocation adds a meaning to life. — I had none.

Taka is it possible to general

A vocation adds a meaning to life.

Isn't that "to life" part of "add X to Y" and therefore, unlike the "of live" of "the meaning of life", adverbial, not an adjectival modifier of "a meaning"?

Takaadverbial, not an adjectival

We were not discussing parts of speech.

OK. Let me ask two related questions.

Does this sentence work fine?

A meaning to life is something he has been searching for.

The other question is, does "a meaning of life" sound wrong?

TakaDoes this sentence work fine?

It's awkward.

The meaning of life is something he has been searching for.
She committed suicide because she found no meaning in her life.

Ringo went to India to consult the most learned gurus and discover the meaning of life. All they said was "oooooooooooooooohmmmmmmmmmm" ever and over again.
So he l

AS, about this:

He found a deeper meaning in his own life.

If it were this instead, would it work? It it would, what would be the difference between the two?

He found a deeper meaning to his own life.