1. Question
This article mainly describes the similarity and differences of distribution between “对” and “对于” in free Chinese lesson. In addition, it will indicate the conditions of similar distribution and complementary distribution.
2. Analysis of distribution in free Chinese lesson
2.1 the similar distribution in zhongwen: before or after the subject closely
Let’s look at some examples in zhongwen as follows:
(1) 我们对任何问题都要作具体分析。→ 对任何问题我们都要作具体分析。
wǒ men duì rèn hé wèn tí dōu yào zuò jù tǐ fēn xī 。 → duì rèn hé wèn tí wǒ men dōu yào zuò jù tǐ fēn xī 。
(2) 我们对于任何问题都要作具体分析。→对于任何问题我们都要作具体分析。
wǒ men duì yú rèn hé wèn tí dōu yào zuò jù tǐ fēn xī 。 → duì yú rèn hé wèn tí wǒ men dōu yào zuò jù tǐ fēn xī 。
2.2 The different distribution in zhongwen: before or after the subject closely.
Let’s look at some examples in zhongwen as follows:
(3) 对老张，我们要作具体分析。→我们对老张要作具体分析。
duì lǎo zhāng ， wǒ men yào zuò jù tǐ fēn xī 。 → wǒ men duì lǎo zhāng yào zuò jù tǐ fēn xī 。
(3) 对于老张，我们要作具体分析。→*我们对于老张要作具体分析。
duì yú lǎo zhāng ， wǒ men yào zuò jù tǐ fēn xī 。 → * wǒ men duì yú lǎo zhāng yào zuò jù tǐ fēn xī 。
Comparing the difference between 2.1 and 2.2, the prepositional object in the example 2.2 belongs to “人” in zhongwen. However, in the example 2.1 the prepositional object belongs to “事物”. If we can conclude it as: if the prepositional object belongs to the “事物”, “对” and “对于” are free to be put in front the object or after the object in zhongwen. In another word, both two phrasing are right in zhongwen. On the other hand, when the prepositional object belongs to “人”, “对于” have to be put before the prepositional object. If it is considered as a rule, we can accept the (5) but (6). For example:
(5) 对于张三，你认为怎么样？
duì yú zhāng sān ， nǐ rèn wéi zěn me yàng ？
(6) *你对于张三认为怎么样？
nǐ duì yú zhāng sān rèn wéi zěn me yàng ？
2.3 The distribution after the auxiliary verb in zhongwen
Let’s look at some examples in zhongwen as follows:
(7) 我会（将/要）对这个问题提出看法。
wǒ huì （ jiāng / yào ） duì zhè ge wèn tí tí chū kàn fǎ 。
(8) 我会（将/要）对老张提出看法。
wǒ huì （ jiāng / yào ） duì lǎo zhāng tí chū kàn fǎ 。
We can see from these examples that “对” is free if it is behind the auxiliary verb, while “对于” can not be put behind the auxiliary verb.
2.4 The distribution when they are put after the negative word.
Let’s look at some examples in zhongwen as follows:
(9) 我不（没）对这个问题提出看法。
wǒ bú （ méi ） duì zhè ge wèn tí tí chū kàn fǎ 。
(10) * 我不（没）对于这个问题提出看法。
wǒ bú （ méi ） duì yú zhè ge wèn tí tí chū kàn fǎ 。
“对” is free when it is put behind the negative word, while it is illegal to “对于”.
3 Semantic deference
Premise 1: different forms of grammar represent the different grammatical meaning in zhongwen.
Deduction 1: in Chinese grammar, the difference of the syntactic position shows difference of grammatical meaning in zhongwen.
Deduction 1: “对” and “对于” have big difference in the syntactic position. Therefore, they must be different in the grammatical meaning in zhongwen.
We make a imperative sentence with “请” at the beginning. “请” is similar to a verb. Therefore, the component behind the“请” has be concluded in the proposition in zhongwen. If we presume it is right, look at some examples as follows:
(11) 请对这个问题提出你的看法。
qǐng duì zhè ge wèn tí tí chū nǐ de kàn fǎ 。
(12) 对这个问题，请提出你的看法。
duì zhè ge wèn tí ， qǐng tí chū nǐ de kàn fǎ 。
(13) 请对于这个问题提出你的看法。
qǐng duì yú zhè ge wèn tí tí chū nǐ de kàn fǎ 。
(14) 对于这个问题，请提出你的看法。
duì yú zhè ge wèn tí ， qǐng tí chū nǐ de kàn fǎ 。
If “请提出你的看法” is considered as a complete preposition, there is a obvious facts: “对” no matter included in the preposition or not, it is free. However, “对于” can not be included in the preposition. And it seems like a topic composition removed from the preposition.
4 conclusion:
“对” is free no matter it introduces the person or object, when put in front of subject. At the same time, it is also free behind the negative words and auxiliary verb. The grammatical meaning of “对” is to introduce the objects to the verb; “对于” can only introduce the objects when put behind the subject. And the person or object can be introduced when put in front the subject. In the grammatical meaning, “对于” intends to express the objective topic.