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Yuliana芸
"work for me" vs."work on me"
Here is Sherclock S02E01 dialogue:
Maid: Works for me.
Irene Adler: Everything works on you
What's the difference between these two: "work for me" and "work on me"?
Could it be changed into:
1) - Works for me. - Everything works for you.
or 2) - Works on me. - Everything works on you. ?
Thank you.
Jun 8, 2012 6:59 AM
Answers · 3
3
These two could overlap, but there is a difference.
Works for me = it works, in my opinion; I like it. This is the usual meaning. It would be more likely for a person to say it about themselves, not about another person.
It works on you = That piece of clothing looks good on you.
If I said "It works for you." I would probably be saying, that looks good on you, but not on other people. I probably wouldn't say it, because it might be interpreted as meaning "You like that." You usually don't tell a person what they like and don't like.
Another meaning: Somebody works on you = somebody is trying to convince you of something you don't agree with yet. [I don't think that is what it means here]
June 8, 2012
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Yuliana芸
Language Skills
Chinese (Mandarin), English
Learning Language
English
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