Is there a difference between に and に対して?


> デメテルに続いて言葉を連ねる女神たち **に** 、ヘスティアは微妙な顔付きをした。

vs

> デメテルに続いて言葉を連ねる女神たち **に対して** 、ヘスティアは微妙な顔付きをした。

What is the difference between these two sentences? In what cases can you use
に to replace に対して?

Thanks!




While the two sentences mean practically the same thing, there exists a
(subtle) difference in nuance between the two.

> 「Noun/Pronoun + **に[対]{たい}して** + Verb/Adjective Phrase」

would express at least a somewhat higher degree of intention or purpose behind
the action/state being described and/or more active involvement by the person
than the following phrase does:

> 「Noun/Pronoun + **に** + Verb/Adjective Phrase」

I might add that the difference explained above is often very subtle. Thus, if
you really wanted to express a higher (or lower) magnitude of your intention
or involvement, you should probably do so by adding words to the
Verb/Adjective Phrase such as 「とても」, 「[非常]{ひじょう}に」, 「[本当]{ほんとう}に」, etc. along
with 「～～に対して」.




While the two sentences mean practically the same thing, there exists a
(subtle) difference in nuance between the two.

> 「Noun/Pronoun + **に[対]{たい}して** + Verb/Adjective Phrase」

would express at least a somewhat higher degree of intention or purpose behind
the action/state being described and/or more active involvement by the person
than the following phrase does:

> 「Noun/Pronoun + **に** + Verb/Adjective Phrase」

I might add that the difference explained above is often very subtle. Thus, if
you really wanted to express a higher (or lower) magnitude of your intention
or involvement, you should probably do so by adding words to the
Verb/Adjective Phrase such as 「とても」, 「[非常]{ひじょう}に」, 「[本当]{ほんとう}に」, etc. along
with 「～～に対して」.

