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Preposition after adjective

Satisfactory to or satisfactory for?

Satisfactory to usually means acceptable to someone. Satisfactory for usually means suitable for a purpose or situation.

Quick answer

Main difference

Use satisfactory to when referring to a person, organisation, or standard that accepts something. Use satisfactory for when referring to a purpose, activity, or situation.

The results were satisfactory to the committee.
This temperature is satisfactory for storage.
Her explanation was satisfactory to everyone.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
satisfactory to + person/group

Who finds something acceptable?

Use satisfactory to with the person or group that judges or accepts something.

The arrangement was satisfactory to both sides.
The repair is not satisfactory to the customer.
2
satisfactory for + purpose

What is something suitable for?

Use satisfactory for to describe suitability for a use, task, or condition.

The equipment is satisfactory for daily use.
These figures are satisfactory for our report.
3
satisfactory in + area

In what respect is something acceptable?

Use in to mention the area or aspect being evaluated.

Her performance was satisfactory in all areas.
The product scored satisfactory in safety tests.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
satisfactory to
The proposal was satisfactory to the board.
acceptable to a person or organisation
satisfactory for
The room is satisfactory for small meetings.
suitable for a purpose or activity
satisfactory with
She was satisfied with the result.
Do not usually use satisfactory with after the adjective satisfactory; satisfied with is the normal expression.

Common mistakes

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

Using satisfactory with a person after for

Use to, not for, when naming the person who accepts or approves something.

✕ The outcome was satisfactory for the manager. ✓ The outcome was satisfactory to the manager.

Using satisfactory to for a purpose

Use for when talking about suitability for a task or use.

✕ This software is satisfactory to basic accounting. ✓ This software is satisfactory for basic accounting.

Confusing satisfactory and satisfied

Satisfactory describes the thing. Satisfied describes the person's feeling.

✕ I am satisfactory with the service. ✓ I am satisfied with the service.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The final design was satisfactory ___ the client.
2. These chairs are satisfactory ___ outdoor events.
3. The report was satisfactory ___ all departments.

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Frequently asked questions

Can I say satisfactory to me?

Yes. It means you consider something acceptable or adequate.

Can satisfactory for refer to people?

Usually no. Use satisfactory to when naming the person or group that approves something.

Is satisfactory a positive adjective?

It usually means acceptable or adequate rather than excellent.

sacred-to-in-by-of, for "sad for" or "sad about"? "safe for", "safe from" or "safe in"? sanguine about, in, of, on or for? satisfied with, of, by, in or on? "satisfying for" or "satisfying to"? scarce in, for, at, on or of? scared of, to, about, for or by? "scary for" or "scary to"? "scathing about", "scathing in" or "scathing of"? "sceptical about" or "sceptical of"? searchable by, on, in, via or through?

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