English UsageGrammar guide

Precious To: Standard Pattern

Precious To: Standard Pattern records a directly documented English construction and keeps guidance bounded to the evidenced pattern rather than turning one attested complement into a universal prohibition.

Quick answer

Use “precious to” before the person for whom something has especially great personal or emotional value.

Key details

Confusion Familyusage-construction
Rule Familyadjective or complement construction
Termsprecious to

Further guidance

Construction

Use “precious to” before the person for whom something has especially great personal or emotional value.

Style Boundary

Cambridge also uses “precious” attributively and in monetary/value senses; this guide covers the documented “precious to” complement pattern.

Sources and evidence

Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.

  1. Precious — Cambridge Dictionary (opens in a new tab)Cambridge University Press · Direct learner-dictionary evidence for “precious to” when something has great personal or emotional value to someone.

Related guides

English Usage

Ablaze With: Standard Pattern

Ablaze With: Standard Pattern records a directly documented English construction and keeps guidance bounded to the evidenced pattern rather than turning one attested complement into a universal prohibition.

English Usage

Abound In or With: Standard Pattern

Abound In or With: Standard Pattern records a directly documented English construction and keeps guidance bounded to the evidenced pattern rather than turning one attested complement into a universal prohibition.

English Usage

Absorbed In: Standard Pattern

Absorbed In: Standard Pattern records a directly documented English construction and keeps guidance bounded to the evidenced pattern rather than turning one attested complement into a universal prohibition.

English Usage

Acceptable To: Standard Pattern

Acceptable To: Standard Pattern records a directly documented English construction and keeps guidance bounded to the evidenced pattern rather than turning one attested complement into a universal prohibition.

English Usage

Accessible To: Standard Pattern

Accessible To: Standard Pattern records a directly documented English construction and keeps guidance bounded to the evidenced pattern rather than turning one attested complement into a universal prohibition.

English Usage

Acclaimed For: Standard Pattern

Acclaimed For: Standard Pattern records a directly documented English construction and keeps guidance bounded to the evidenced pattern rather than turning one attested complement into a universal prohibition.

Explore the topic