tailor-made for + person/group
Showing who something suits
Use for to identify the intended user or beneficiary.
The training was tailor-made for remote teams.
tailor-made for
Tailor-made is most commonly followed by for to show suitability for a person, purpose, or situation. Other words such as by or according to may appear in separate parts of the sentence, not as complements of tailor-made.
Quick answer
Which preposition follows tailor-made?
Use tailor-made for when something is specially designed for a person, group, or purpose. Tailor-made to is uncommon in modern English for this meaning. By and according to belong to different sentence structures, and as usually introduces a role.
The course was tailor-made for new managers.
We need software tailor-made for small businesses.
The itinerary was tailor-made for our family.
We need software tailor-made for small businesses.
The itinerary was tailor-made for our family.
Choose the pattern by meaning
These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.
tailor-made for + purpose
Showing a specific use
Use for to describe the purpose something was designed for.
This desk is tailor-made for compact offices.
tailor-made by + maker
Naming the creator separately
By can describe who made something, but it is not the complement selected by tailor-made.
The suit was tailor-made by an Italian designer.
tailor-made according to + specifications
Referring to instructions or standards
According to introduces the basis or instructions for the design.
The cabinets were tailor-made according to the architect's drawings.
See the difference in context
The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.
Construction
Example
Meaning
tailor-made for
The package was tailor-made for first-time users.
Standard expression meaning specially designed to suit someone or something.
tailor-made to
The software was tailored to the client's needs.
Tailored to is common, but tailor-made to is much less natural in current English.
tailor-made by
The shoes were tailor-made by a local craftsperson.
By identifies the maker, not the person or purpose served.
tailor-made according to
The plan was tailor-made according to local regulations.
According to introduces rules or instructions connected to the design.
tailor-made as
The room was used as a tailor-made studio space.
As usually introduces a role or function rather than completing tailor-made.
Common mistakes
Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.
Using to instead of for
For is the normal choice after tailor-made when showing suitability.
✕ The course is tailor-made to beginners. ✓ The course is tailor-made for beginners.Confusing by with the main complement
By names the maker, not the intended user.
✕ The app is tailor-made by small businesses. ✓ The app is tailor-made for small businesses.Using according as a direct complement
According to can describe the basis for the design, but it does not replace for.
✕ The system is tailor-made according to startups. ✓ The system is tailor-made for startups.Quick practice
Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.
1. The program was tailor-made ___ young athletes.
2. The jacket was tailor-made ___ a Paris tailor.
3. The design was tailor-made according ___ the client's request.
Check your sentence in context
Paste the complete sentence below. Linguix checks the preposition together with grammar, spelling, punctuation, and style.
Free to try · No signup required
Frequently asked questions
Is tailor-made for the most common pattern?
Yes. It is the standard way to show that something is specially designed for someone or something.
Can I say tailor-made to?
It appears occasionally, but tailored to is much more natural than tailor-made to in modern English.
What does tailor-made by mean?
It identifies who created the item, not who it is intended for.
Related preposition guides
Write with confidence in Linguix
Create a free account to check complete texts, apply suggestions, and save your documents.
