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lostin1800
Joined: 01 Dec 2006
Posts: 39
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 Posted: Sun Dec 17, 2006 10:34 pm Post subject: is + v. |
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Should there be a 'to' in this sentence? And why?
'What I am trying to do in this second term, in looking at the presidential race, is to do more foreign policy as a governor.'
Thanks. |
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Eric Thompson
Joined: 25 Nov 2006
Posts: 148
Location: Angeles, Pampanga, Philippines
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| Posted: Mon Dec 18, 2006 5:34 am Post subject: |
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| Dear lostin, That 'to' in the predicate is not necessary in this case, because there is a 'to do' in the subject. (This is a special case; 'do' is also a helping verb.) Because subject and predicate are linked with a form of 'be', they are one and the same. I guess, having a 'to do' in the subject, makes it unnecessary to use the infinitive form (to do) in the predicate. You can put any verb in place of the 'do' in your predicate. Like "What I am trying to do is fix these darn Christmas lights and get on with my life." Good enough? Merry Christmas, by the way. |
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lostin1800
Joined: 01 Dec 2006
Posts: 39
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| Posted: Mon Dec 18, 2006 6:46 am Post subject: |
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| Eric Thompson wrote: |
| Good enough? |
Absolutely! Exactly the kind of explanation I was looking for.
Merry Christmas to you too. |
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