It is important "to" me to stay on task.

[sitifan]

It is important to me to stay on task. (My bold.)
Source: Su Chin and Li Weizhen, English Grammar Makes Sense, p160.

Can I use "for me" instead of "to me" in the above sentence?

 

[Tarheel]

Yes. In fact, I suggest that you do that.

 

[emsr2d2]

I find both of them natural.

 

[sitifan]

1. It is important to me to stay on task. (My bold.)
2. It is important for me to stay on task. (My bold.)
Source: Su Chin and Li Weizhen, English Grammar Makes Sense, p160.

According to the book:
In #1, "it" refers to "to stay on task."
In #2, "it" refers to "for me to stay on task."

Do native speakers agree with the above linguistic analysis?

 

[emsr2d2]

I disagree. It's a dummy "it". If it refers to anything, it's simply "stay on task".

 

[Agnes]

It is important to me to stay on task. (My bold.)
Source: Su Chin and Li Weizhen, English Grammar Makes Sense, p160.

Can I use "for me" instead of "to me" in the above sentence?

I would argue that it depends on what staying on the task really means 'to' you and 'for' you. For example, when you use 'for' it feels more like you are implying that there are other reasons 'for' your staying on the task. It could be to enhance your career, etc. They are external factors. When you say important 'to' you, it sounds more personal/intimate...like to you as a person, maybe for your values, beliefs etc. That's what I think.

 

[Flask]

1. It is important to me to stay on task. (My bold.)
2. It is important for me to stay on task. (My bold.)
Source: Su Chin and Li Weizhen, English Grammar Makes Sense, p160.

According to the book:
In #1, "it" refers to "to stay on task."
In #2, "it" refers to "for me to stay on task."

Do native speakers agree with the above linguistic analysis?

I agree. I'd say both sentences have extraposition of an infinitival clause. However, in (1), the infinitival clause does not have an overt subject, whereas, in (2), it does. Another difference is that, in (1), the adjective is modified by a prepositional phrase (to me). In (2), important is not so modified; for begins the infinitival clause, introducing its subject (me).

1. It is important to me to stay on task.
--> To stay on task is important to me. / Staying on task is important to me.
my paraphrase: I want very much to stay on task.

2. It is important for me to stay on task.
--> For me to stay on task is important. / My staying on task is important.
my paraphrase: It is important that I stay on task. / I must stay on task.