Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[Junkomama]

Hello, teachers.

1. Intelligence is not the ability to do well at school or to get high marks on exams.

Can we omit the "to" before "get" ?

2. Some animals have the ability to see, hear, and smell out things we don't even notice.

Is it OK to put "to" before "hear" and "smell" ?

Thank you in advance!
Junkomama

[LucentShade]

1. Yes, "to" is omissible here.

2. Yes, "to" can be put before "hear" and "smell." However, it's more natural to say the sentence the way you wrote it, without "to" before "hear" and "smell."

[Junkomama]

Hello, LucentShade-san.
Thank you so much for your reply!

With regards,
Junkomama