I have seen both the prepositions being used, but wonder which is correct. If both are correct, what is the rule for the correct usage?
The same may apply to other phrases. For example, 'Greetings of the season' or 'Greetings for the season'
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Sign up to join this communityI have seen both the prepositions being used, but wonder which is correct. If both are correct, what is the rule for the correct usage?
The same may apply to other phrases. For example, 'Greetings of the season' or 'Greetings for the season'
In usage, "greetings for the new year" currently trumps "greetings of the new year".¹
The two followed a similar trend until the late 1800s, when the former overtook.
Semantic analyses of the phrase against the sensible meanings of "for" and "of":
Seasonal greeting | Preposition | Sense | Suitability |
---|---|---|---|
Greetings for the new year | for | having the purpose of | not really suitable |
Greetings for the new year | for | on the occasion of or at the time of | very suitable |
Greetings of the new year | of | used to show possession, belonging, or origin | not suitable |
Greetings of the new year | of | about; relating to | suitable; vague |
Therefore, the semantics support the usage in this case, and greetings for the new year seems to be the better choice.
They both seem convoluted to me. "Season's Greetings" or "Happy New Year!" is better.
You may refer to below. (I am not a native English speaker so I understand what you ask about well because I had similar questions as a non-native speaker once upon a time in the past.)
the legs of the table (table is an inorganic thing and "of" is like a possessive case; "the table's legs" is a literary and personified expression considering the table as a person)
the legs for the table (you have the legs for the table: maybe, you have to install or repair the legs for the table)