difference between of and for

   Share on Facebook  
Sooris  #532061  Tue, 24 Jun 08 10:32 PM
What is the difference between  the two sentences?

Write the equation of the following data?

Write the equation for the following data? 

 

 

Is there any significant difference between these two prepositions

here? Please help.

 

Sooris 

  
Top 500 Contributor
Joined on Tue, Sep 26 2006
chennai
Full Member (121)
Sureshbabu Padmanabahan
CalifJim  #532071  Tue, 24 Jun 08 10:59 PM
It's an equation for the data (for the purpose of describing the data) --

not an equation of the data.  That would be an equation belonging to the data.  What would that mean???  

CJ 

  
Top 10 Contributor
Joined on Mon, Aug 2 2004
California
Veteran Member (16,970)
ModeratorProficient Speaker
"There are no facts, only interpretations" - Nietzsche
Ant_222  #532078  Tue, 24 Jun 08 11:14 PM
CJ, how would you translate an Anatoliy Dneprov's book's title — "The equation of (for) immortality". I'd go for "of"...
  
Top 75 Contributor
Joined on Sun, May 21 2006
Podolsk, Russia
Contributing Member (1,547)
Marius Hancu  #532109  Wed, 25 Jun 08 01:05 AM
 "The equation for immortality": the equation which prescribes how to attain immortality

 "The equation of immortality": the equation which is proper to immortality, which can mean the above, or the equation to which you become familiar/know when reaching immortality, and perhaps other meanings

  
Top 10 Contributor
Joined on Wed, Apr 26 2006
Montreal, Canada
Veteran Member (11,673)
Proficient Speaker
CalifJim  #532118  Wed, 25 Jun 08 01:23 AM
 
Ant_222
CJ, how would you translate an Anatoliy Dneprov's book's title — "The equation of (for) immortality". I'd go for "of"...
I don't advise translating a title until you've translated the whole book.  Smile  In other words, a translator might have to know the contents of the book to decide which shade of meaning would be best to express that title in a foreign language.  I assume you are familiar with the book and find of better than for.  I'm willing to trust your judgment on this point.  Smile

CJ 

  
Ant_222  #532202  Wed, 25 Jun 08 08:36 AM
Thank you, CJ and Marius. Sure I know whereof I speak ;) The formula does belong to immortality in the sence H2O belongs to water, so "of" is better. Many thanks.
  
AddThis Feed Button RSS Feed: ESL General English Grammar Questions
© 2008 MediaCET Ltd.
Terms and Conditions & Terms of Service