Comments to vs. Comments on – Which is Correct?
Both “comments to” and “comments on” are correct, but they serve different grammatical purposes. Use “comments to” for remarks directed toward a person or group, and “comments on” for remarks about a subject, document, event, or post. In most online discussions, “comments on” is the natural choice for readers everywhere.
Comments to or Comments on – Which is Correct?
Both “comments to” and “comments on” are grammatically correct. The correct choice depends on what follows the preposition.
Use “comments to” when you are identifying the person, group, or audience receiving the remarks. For example, someone may make comments to a reporter, comments to the committee, or comments to the author.
Use “comments on” when you are identifying the subject being discussed. For example, someone may make comments on a report, comments on a news story, or comments on a social media post.
In professional and online writing, “comments on” is usually the more common phrase because people frequently discuss documents, proposals, articles, videos, and posts. Do not use “comments to” when you mean “remarks about” a topic.
The Best Trick to Remember the Difference
Use this simple question-and-answer test:
- Who receives the remarks? Use “comments to.”
- What is being discussed? Use “comments on.”
For example, “She sent comments to the editor” identifies the recipient. “She sent comments on the article” identifies the subject. A useful mnemonic is to = toward a person and on = about a topic.
| Word | Part of Speech | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Comments to | Noun phrase with preposition | Remarks directed toward a person or group | The witness made comments to reporters. |
| Comments on | Noun phrase with preposition | Remarks about a subject or piece of content | The editor requested comments on the article. |
How to Use Comments to
“Comments to” describes remarks directed at a particular recipient. The recipient may be an individual, a group, an organization, or a professional audience. Common combinations include “comments to the press,” “comments to the committee,” “comments to employees,” and “comments to the author.”
This phrase often appears in formal reporting, interviews, workplace communication, and public statements. It focuses on the destination of the communication rather than the subject being discussed.
Example 1: The mayor made comments to reporters after the meeting.
Example 2: Please submit your comments to the project manager by Friday.
Example 3: The reviewer sent detailed comments to the author.
Etymology of the phrase comments to
Comments comes from the Latin commentari, meaning “to consider” or “to explain,” through French and English. The preposition to comes from Old English and expresses direction, movement, or the intended recipient. Together, “comments to” developed as a phrase for remarks directed toward someone.
How to Use Comments on
“Comments on” describes remarks about a particular subject. The subject may be a proposal, report, issue, event, photograph, video, article, social media post, or public statement.
This is the preferred expression when discussing feedback or opinions about content. It is especially common in journalism, academic writing, business communication, online discussions, and legal or administrative documents.
Example 1: The committee invited comments on the proposed regulations.
Example 2: Thousands of readers posted comments on the news article.
Example 3: The professor offered comments on each student’s essay.
Etymology of the phrase comments on
The noun comments derives from Latin commentari, meaning “to explain,” “to reflect,” or “to discuss.” The preposition on comes from Old English and has long been used to indicate a subject or topic. The phrase “comments on” therefore naturally conveys remarks made about something.
Related Concepts
Understanding the difference between recipients and subjects makes it easier to choose the correct preposition in related expressions.
- Prepositions of direction: The preposition “to” often indicates movement toward or communication directed at a recipient, as in “write to the editor” or “speak to the audience.”
- Prepositions of subject: The preposition “on” can identify the topic of discussion, as in “a lecture on history” or “an opinion on the proposal.”
- Recipients and topics: A recipient receives communication, while a topic is what the communication discusses. “Comments to the manager” names the recipient; “comments on the policy” names the topic.
- Feedback language: “Comments on” is common when giving feedback about written or visual material, while “comments to” is common when addressing a person or institution.
Examples from Media and Literature
These examples show how the two phrases work in realistic media, literary, workplace, and online contexts:
- News reporting: “The spokesperson declined to make comments to reporters.” Here, the reporters are the recipients.
- Political coverage: “The senator faced criticism for comments on the proposed bill.” The proposed bill is the subject.
- Book reviewing: “The editor returned the manuscript with comments to the author.” The author receives the remarks.
- Online publishing: “Readers left comments on the magazine’s review.” The review is the subject of the online responses.
- Academic writing: “The instructor wrote comments on the student’s analysis.” The analysis is the material being evaluated.
Comments to Synonyms
| Synonym | Definition |
|---|---|
| Remarks to | Statements directed toward a particular person or group. |
| Statements to | Words communicated to a specified audience or recipient. |
| Words addressed to | A message or remark intentionally directed at someone. |
| Response to | A reply or reaction directed toward a person, statement, or event. |
Comments on Synonyms
| Synonym | Definition |
|---|---|
| Remarks about | Statements concerning a particular subject. |
| Observations on | Thoughts or assessments concerning a topic. |
| Feedback on | Evaluation or suggestions concerning work or content. |
| Discussion of | An explanation or consideration of a particular issue. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Question 1: Should I say “comments to the article” or “comments on the article”?
Use “comments on the article” when you mean remarks about the article. “Comments to the article” is generally incorrect or unnatural because an article is usually the subject, not the recipient.
Question 2: Is it correct to say “comments to the author”?
Yes. Use “comments to the author” when the author receives the remarks. For example, “The editor sent comments to the author.”
Question 3: Which phrase is best for social media?
Use “comments on social media” or “comments on a post” when referring to reactions about online content. You can use “comments to a user” when emphasizing the person being addressed.
Conclusion
Both “comments to” and “comments on” are correct, but they express different relationships. Choose “comments to” for remarks directed toward a recipient and “comments on” for remarks about a subject. Pro Tip: Using the right preposition improves clarity and helps protect your professional reputation in emails, reports, and public communication.
