Prepositions after adjectives

Intimidating: for or to?

Intimidating to is the standard pattern when describing how something affects a person. Intimidating for is possible when for introduces the person experiencing the situation.

Quick answer

Should I use intimidating to or intimidating for?

Use intimidating to before the person affected: The interview was intimidating to new applicants. Intimidating for is also possible, but for usually belongs to the wider sentence and means for someone rather than directly after the adjective.

The exam was intimidating to first-year students.
Public speaking can be intimidating for beginners.
The software looked intimidating to inexperienced users.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
intimidating to + person

Describing the effect on someone

Intimidating to is the most common and direct pattern for showing who feels intimidated.

The courtroom seemed intimidating to the witnesses.
Advanced maths is intimidating to some learners.
2
intimidating for + person

Describing a difficult experience for someone

Intimidating for is possible when for introduces the person in the situation rather than forming a fixed adjective pattern.

Starting a new job can be intimidating for young graduates.
3
too intimidating for + person

Expressing excessive difficulty or pressure

Too intimidating for is common when explaining that something feels overwhelming.

The interface was too intimidating for casual users.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
intimidating to
The process is intimidating to newcomers.
standard pattern showing who feels intimidated
intimidating for
The process can be intimidating for newcomers.
possible when for means for someone in that situation
intimidating toward
He was intimidating toward his staff.
different meaning describing behaviour toward people
intimidated by
She felt intimidated by the crowd.
related expression using the past participle

Common mistakes

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

Using intimidating with no affected person

Add to or another phrase if you want to mention who feels intimidated.

✓ The interview was intimidating to applicants.

Confusing intimidating and intimidated

Intimidating describes the cause; intimidated describes the feeling.

✕ She was intimidating by the audience. ✓ She was intimidated by the audience.

Using to after intimidated

The usual pattern is intimidated by, not intimidated to.

✕ He felt intimidated to the manager. ✓ He felt intimidated by the manager.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The building looked intimidating ___ visitors.
2. Speaking in public is intimidating ___ many people.
3. Which sentence is correct?

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Frequently asked questions

Is intimidating to more common than intimidating for?

Yes. Intimidating to is the more direct and standard adjective pattern.

Can intimidating for be correct?

Yes. It is natural when for introduces the person affected by the situation.

What is the difference between intimidating and intimidated?

Intimidating describes something that causes fear or pressure, while intimidated describes the person's reaction.

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