to their benefit vs for their benefit

Question

Are "to their benefit" and "for their benefit" interchangeable?

"In the minds of those coming and going with an entrenched sense of entitlement, that house was never to be the home and jurisdiction of the people trapped in there TO (FOR) PETER AND MARY'S BENEFIT."

Doll · Accepted Answer

Actually, I know that for someone's benefit is the correct form.

Clive · Answer

Hi,

Are "to their benefit" and "for their benefit" interchangeable?

"In the minds of those coming and going with an entrenched sense of entitlement, that house was never to be the home and jurisdiction of the people trapped in there TO (FOR) PETER AND MARY'S BENEFIT." This is an odd sentence. The word 'jurisdiction' seems wrong. And why are do Peter and Mary benefit because people are trapped?

Mary corrected Tom's English, for his benefit - Mary wanted to help him.

Mary corrected Tom's English, to his benefit. - Maybe she did not intend to help him, but was simply angry or impatien with hit. However, the correction benefitted him 'unintentionally/accidentally'. eg The lightning was to Tom's benefit, because it hit the robber who was about to shoot him.

Best wishes, Clive

La2lura · Answer

Thanks, Clive. That distinction is very helpful and it is just what I intuited. I definitely want to say "to" and not "for" because the benefit was not intended. I think the sentence may be odd mostly because it's out of context. I see how 'jurisdiction' may seem wrong but I couldn't find a better word meaning "the territory over which authority is exercised," which is what I wanted to emphasize. As for the benefit, let's say that what enables Peter and Mary to come and go with an entrenched sense of entitlement is the fact that the people in question both have to maintain the house and have no authority over who comes and goes.

Thanks! Lara

La2lura · Answer

Thanks. Check out Clive's response.

to their benefit vs for their benefit

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