Coming back from the staff break room Jewel had coffee in hand and his patient files in the other.  Sitting down on one of the couches he looked over the new patients he had and read their files.  These poor children.  Ringing up a nurse to go inform his patients that they had a session he put most of the files in his desk.  Hearing a knock on the door the old man called, “Come in.”

I've noted that many people seem to have a problem with the structures important to and important for. 

There may be many reasons for the problem, however, I believe that the main factor to be blamed is the fact that in numerous languages there's no semantic difference between the two phrases.

It is then important to bear in mind that in English important to and important for cannot be used interchangeably...    

Sorry.

   So what's the difference?  

important to - is used when we want to underscore or vent our emotional attachment to something.

My family is the most important thing to me. 

This book is important to me because it taught me a lot about life.   

important for - the meaning of this phrase is more instrumental in nature. If something is important for us, it means it's going to progress our cause in some way.

It's important for me to learn English because I want to get a promotion.

Balanced diet is important for children.   

I hope it helps. If you have any questions don't be afraid to drop me a line or two. Tell me, what's important for and to you?  

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