performance to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "performance to" is not correct and lacks clarity in written English.
It may be used in contexts where you are referring to the performance directed towards a specific goal or audience, but it typically requires additional context to be meaningful. Example: "The performance to the audience was met with great enthusiasm."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

That allows your performance to be consistent".

The New York Times - Sports

Tito Puente Jr., tribute performance to Tito Puente.

The New York Times

Not necessarily a performance to frame.

The New York Times - Sports

He wanted the performance to continue.

The Guardian - Books

It was a performance to relish.

The Guardian

Scripts are revised from performance to performance.

The New York Times

It varies from performance to performance.

The Guardian - Sport

"To go from first-half performance to second is unacceptable.

The Guardian - Sport

"We can't reduce performance to a single numerical score".

The New York Times

I'm a believer in tying performance to incentives.

The Guardian

He wanted to dedicate his performance to his son.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing an action directed at someone or something, consider using "performance for" or "performance aimed at" for clarity. This helps specify the target of the performance.

Common error

Avoid using "performance to" without specifying what the performance is directed toward. Without proper context, it can sound incomplete and unclear. Ensure there's a clear connection to the recipient or purpose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "performance to" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase, often used to indicate a direction or recipient of a performance. However, its grammatical correctness is questionable. According to Ludwig AI, it may lack clarity in many contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Formal & Business

22%

Science

17%

Less common in

Reference

9%

Encyclopedias

7%

Wiki

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "performance to" appears frequently across varied sources, as Ludwig's analysis shows. However, Ludwig AI flags the phrase as potentially incorrect and lacking clarity. While its intended purpose is to specify the recipient or direction of a performance, it's often better replaced with alternatives like "performance for", "performance towards", or restructured sentences to improve clarity and grammatical correctness. Therefore, writers should exercise caution and consider clearer alternatives to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

performance for

Replaces "to" with "for", indicating the recipient or beneficiary of the performance.

performance towards

Substitutes "to" with "towards", suggesting direction or progress in achieving a goal.

contribution to

Replaces "performance" with "contribution", focusing on the act of giving or adding value.

devotion to

Uses "devotion" instead of "performance", emphasizing dedication and commitment.

dedication to

Similar to "devotion to", highlighting a strong sense of commitment.

achievement in

Changes "performance" to "achievement", emphasizing accomplishment and success.

execution of

Replaces "performance" with "execution", highlighting the act of carrying out a task.

delivery of

Substitutes "performance" with "delivery", emphasizing the act of providing or presenting something.

conduct of

Uses "conduct" instead of "performance", focusing on behavior or management.

approach to

Employs "approach" instead of "performance", highlighting a method or way of dealing with something.

FAQs

How can I use "performance to" correctly in a sentence?

While "performance to" is often seen as grammatically questionable, it can be used when clearly indicating what the performance is directed towards. For example, you might say, "The band dedicated their performance to the victims of the tragedy."

What are some alternatives to "performance to"?

Better alternatives include "performance for" (indicating benefit), "performance towards" (indicating direction), or phrases like "dedication to" or "contribution to", depending on the context.

Is there a difference between saying "performance to" and "performance for"?

Yes. "Performance for" indicates the performance is done for the benefit or enjoyment of someone or something. In contrast, "performance to" often lacks a clear, standard meaning and can sound awkward unless the context makes the direction of the performance explicit.

When is it appropriate to use "performance to" instead of another preposition?

It's rarely the best choice. Usually, "performance for", "performance of", or rewriting the sentence to use a different structure is preferable for clarity and grammatical correctness.