good example for or to me??

    • This may be a regional preference in usage here, but both are used.

    Here are some dictionary definition examples using "example to":

    "Over the years their country has proved a paragon of good governance and an example to its bigger African brothers" http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/example
    "With his enthusiasm and determination, he’s an example to the rest of the team." (Macmillan Dictionary)
    "Her courage is an example to us all" (Long Dict. of Contemporary English)
    "Her courage is an example to us all"--a person or their behaviour that is thought to be a good model for others to copy example (to somebody) . (Oxford English)


    We also need to differentiate between "set an example" and "be and example"
    set an example: You should be setting an example for your little brother. (always for)
    be an example (either "to" or "for")
     
    As always, context, is vital.

    In the sentence you present, I join with Copyright and Parla in favoring "for."

    In different context or usage, such as elainecanspeak presents, that's not necessarily the case.
     
    Thank you all for your help. I want to say, past scholars's work and current research are good example to/for our students.
     
    Thank you elianecanspeak for your help. May I ask why for & why not to? I mean is there rule or clue as a note or remark for me to remember or to notice when to use which one ?
     
    I have been searching the internet to find a simple rule to make the distinction between "example for" and "example to", but have not had any success.

    I am not sure, but I thought it might be that "example to" is usually used with people or groups of people (governments, countries, etc.) who act as examples through their actions and behavior.

    However, in the example that I quoted in post #5, ("Her courage is an example to us all") "courage" is a thing and not a person, yet the sentence works, perhaps because it refers to her actions.


    "Past scholars's work and current research are good examples for our students."

    In this sentence the subject is two things: "work" and "research". It seems to refer to the product of action, rather than the action itself, and therefore require "for".

    I am not sure about this.

    →Do any other forum participants have a an explanation for when to make which choice?
     
    It seems that nobody is against ' for'. Why not use 'for' after example to avoid the trouble. By the way, is there a stuation "example for" is invalid.:rolleyes:
     
    Good point, will3154. I think you would be usually be safe using "example for", and that might be the best thing to do.

    i was thinking about the distinction between using the word "example" as

    1. "a pattern to follow" and
    2."an individual or group whose behavior is an ideal to imitate, a paragon, or on the other hand, when the consequence of the behavior has negative results and they are seen as a negative role model.

    In my Webster's Collegiate each of these definitions was included, but they were not linked to the preposition that would follow.

    It is my opinion that the first (pattern to follow) definition tends to take "for", and the second pair of definitions (ideal, paragon /negative example of behavior) tends to take "to" (although I have been unable to validate this from any authoritative source).
     
    Can't I shortly say : 'to' and 'for' can be switched when use with the noun 'example' ? but it look from the above long debate like 'to' and 'for' can not always all the time be switched ?
     
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