Introduce someone to something / something to someone?

Question

What are the differences between the following to sentences? Are they all correct?

Paul Dexter · Accepted Answer · 2018-08-15 08:11:49Z

4

Version 1 is incorrect, as "introduce" can't be ditransitive.

Version 3, using "introduce" (something) to (someone), is awkward at best.

Version 2 is good:

Jack introduced me to the beautiful world of mathematics.

answered Aug 15, 2018 at 8:02

Paul Dexter

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1

In support of your point about introduce something [non-sentient] to someone being "awkward" (non-idiomatic), there's this Ngram showing that it's almost always introduced him to art, not introduced art to him.
– FumbleFingers
Commented Aug 15, 2018 at 13:45
5

@FumbleFingers ‘the program is a bid to introduce opera to the masses’
– Eddie Kal
Commented Aug 15, 2018 at 15:51
1

@EddieKal: Yeah - the general preference is as described (but it's nowhere near an "unbreakable rule" anyway). But some more "abstract" parties to an introduction (the masses, the general public, a wider audience, etc.) are normally mentioned second, regardless of whether the other entity is non-sentient (opera) or a named individual (the young Mozart). Not exactly sure how accurately one could define & describe that area where the general principle is completely reversed though.
– FumbleFingers
Commented Aug 15, 2018 at 16:42

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