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Prepositions after adjectives

Acceptable to vs acceptable for

Acceptable commonly takes both to and for, but the meaning changes. Use acceptable to for a person or group that approves something, and acceptable for for suitability or purpose.

Quick answer

Which preposition goes with acceptable?

Use acceptable to when someone considers something satisfactory or approves of it. Use acceptable for when talking about suitability, purpose, age, health, or conditions. Both are standard, but they express different relationships.

The proposal is acceptable to the committee.
These shoes are acceptable for formal events.
The noise level was not acceptable to the neighbours.

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
acceptable to + person/group

Who approves or accepts something?

Use acceptable to with a person, organisation, or group that judges something satisfactory.

The revised schedule is acceptable to our clients.
Her explanation was not acceptable to the judge.
2
acceptable for + purpose

What is something suitable for?

Use acceptable for to describe a suitable use, function, or activity.

This format is acceptable for online applications.
The room is acceptable for small meetings.
3
acceptable for + person or condition

Suitability for someone or something

Acceptable for can describe whether something is suitable for a person, age group, health condition, or situation.

The medicine is acceptable for children over six.
Casual clothes are acceptable for the event.
4
acceptable to + standard or taste

Agreement with standards or preferences

Use acceptable to with standards, principles, or personal taste when something meets expectations.

The design is acceptable to modern tastes.
The changes were acceptable to company policy.

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
acceptable to
The contract terms are acceptable to both sides.
Both sides approve of or agree with the terms.
acceptable for
This material is acceptable for outdoor use.
The material is suitable for that purpose.
acceptable to someone
Is this arrangement acceptable to you?
Do you approve of it?
acceptable for someone
The diet is not acceptable for people with allergies.
The diet is not suitable for them.

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Using to when you mean suitability

Use acceptable for when discussing purpose or suitability rather than approval.

✕ This tool is acceptable to heavy construction work. ✓ This tool is acceptable for heavy construction work.

Using for when you mean approval

Use acceptable to when a person or group accepts or approves something.

✕ The decision was acceptable for the board. ✓ The decision was acceptable to the board.

Confusing approval with location

A phrase after acceptable may be a separate place expression, not the adjective's preposition.

✕ The behaviour was acceptable for the teachers. ✓ The behaviour was acceptable to the teachers.

Omitting the needed preposition

Acceptable usually needs a complement to show who approves or what something suits.

✕ The solution is acceptable the client. ✓ The solution is acceptable to the client.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The proposal is acceptable ___ the finance team.
2. These materials are acceptable ___ laboratory use.
3. Is this colour acceptable ___ you?

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Frequently asked questions

Can acceptable be followed by both to and for?

Yes. Acceptable to refers to approval by a person or group, while acceptable for refers to suitability or intended use.

Is acceptable for someone always about suitability?

Usually yes. Acceptable for someone normally means suitable or safe for that person rather than approved by them.

Can I say acceptable by?

Acceptable by is uncommon in this meaning. Standard English usually uses acceptable to for approval and acceptable for for suitability.

abhorrent-to-in-for-of, about "ablaze with" or "ablaze in"? "able for" or "able in"? "abreast of" or "abreast with"? "absent from" or "absent in"? absolute in, for, of, to or as? "absurd to", "absurd in" or "absurd for"? abundant in, with, of, on or for? "abusive to", "abusive in" or "abusive towards"? "academic in" or "academic at"? accessible to, by, for, from or in? "accountable for" or "accountable to"?

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