Prepositions – “Results Of” Versus “Results For”

prepositions

I am writing and editing scientific papers and sometimes I come accross the noun "results" and become very confused as to what preposition should follow.
It usually happens when the paper is mentioning simulation results for/of a variable that was an output of the simulation process.

Example: Let X1 be a variable that is one of the outputs of a simulation. The paper reads: "In Table 1, the simulation results for/of X1 according to variations of X2 are presented".
I think "for" is the correct preposition but I also see people using "of" in similar cases.
Could you explain which one is more appropiate?

Thanks in advance.

Best Answer

"In Table 1, the simulation results for/of X1 according to variations of X2 are presented".

It is mostly a matter of what seems to improve the flow.
Subtract the descriptor "simulation"

"In Table 1, the results of X1 according to variations of X2 are presented"

and the flow, or sound, of the statement seems fine with "of".
But, with "simulation"

"In Table 1, the simulation results of X1 according to variations of X2 are presented".

"of" doesn't seem to flow as well

"In Table 1, the simulation results for X1 according to variations of X2 are presented".

but with "for" the flow seems fine.
There is not an issue with correct prepositions here. Others might not have a "flow" issue with either, and some might consider one preposition preferable to another is some situations. "For" and "of" are both fine here, as far as grammar goes.

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