appropriate to him

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "appropriate to him" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is suitable or fitting for a particular person. Example: "The attire he chose was appropriate to him, reflecting his personal style and the occasion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

When he received his diagnosis, it seemed appropriate to him that he should be stricken.

The New York Times

He is the ultimate stylistic chameleon, and that is not meant pejoratively: he is open to whatever style seems appropriate to him as he approaches a particular project.

The New York Times - Arts

Towards its close, Heaney, who has died aged 74, was asked whether anything in his work seemed appropriate to him as an epitaph.

The Guardian - Books

The Pope had made his appeal for peace in August 1917, declaring his neutrality to be "appropriate to him who is the common father and who loves all his children with equal affection".

The Times

Another old friend, Peter B. Edelman, who resigned as an assistant secretary of health and human services over Mr. Clinton's decision to sign the 1996 welfare law, said simply, "I hold him to a high standard, because he is a very intelligent man, and he has not lived up to the standard that is appropriate to him".

The New York Times

Loomis was coming to the conclusion that he couldn't fathom anything; the word seemed appropriate to him, because most of the time he felt as if he were drowning and couldn't find the bottom or the surface of this murky body of water he had fallen, or dived, into.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

When he resigned in March, the board did not feel it appropriate to ask him to work his notice period and exercised its right to put him on gardening leave, which is normal practice for a senior executive".

The Guardian - Business

Judge Jones said he did not think it was appropriate "to imprison him for what he thought, no matter how much someone else might disagree with him".

The New York Times

It felt appropriate to ask him whether he still had the enthusiasm for it all.

The Guardian - Sport

"I am sure when things settle down, we will think of something appropriate to remember him by.

The Guardian - Sport

Since we were no longer strangers, it felt utterly appropriate to tell him how much I admired his work.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "appropriate to him", ensure that the context clearly establishes who "him" refers to, avoiding any ambiguity. This maintains clarity and prevents misinterpretation.

Common error

Avoid substituting "appropriate to him" with "appropriate for himself" unless the subject and the object are the same person. Using "himself" incorrectly can alter the meaning or sound unnatural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "appropriate to him" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun or pronoun. It indicates that something is suitable, fitting, or relevant for a specific male individual. Ludwig confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "appropriate to him" is a grammatically correct, though somewhat less common, way to express that something is suitable or fitting for a particular male individual. As confirmed by Ludwig, while it is usable in written English, "appropriate for him" is generally preferred. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts, serving to convey suitability and relevance. While not overly formal, its neutral register makes it suitable for a variety of situations. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by clearly specifying who "him" refers to and avoid misusing reflexive pronouns.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Suitable for him

Emphasizes general fittingness or adequacy.

Fitting for him

Highlights the appropriateness based on a specific context or situation.

Befitting him

Implies a sense of decorum or what is proper for his status or character.

Applicable to him

Focuses on relevance or pertinence to his circumstances.

Relevant to him

Highlights the connection or importance for his needs or interests.

Germane to him

Stresses the relevance and close relationship to the matter at hand.

Apropos to him

Suggests timeliness or suitability in a particular moment.

Aligned with him

Implies a correspondence or agreement with his values or principles.

Adapted for him

Focuses on modification or tailoring to meet his specific requirements.

Tailored to him

Emphasizes customization to perfectly suit his individual needs or preferences.

FAQs

How can I use "appropriate to him" in a sentence?

You can use "appropriate to him" to describe something that is suitable or fitting for a particular person, for example, "The decision seemed appropriate to him, given his experience."

What are some alternatives to "appropriate to him"?

Alternatives include "suitable for him", "fitting for him", or "relevant to him", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "appropriate for him" instead of "appropriate to him"?

"Appropriate for him" is a more common and generally preferred phrasing. "Appropriate to him" is grammatically correct but less frequently used.

What's the difference between "appropriate to him" and "appropriate for him"?

While both phrases are similar in meaning, "appropriate for him" is generally considered more idiomatic and natural-sounding. "Appropriate to him" is less common but still acceptable.