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  1. #1
    chance22 is offline Member
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    Default than do something or than to do something

    In those comparative structures, should there be a bare infinitive following "than" or should there just be an infinitive? e.g.
    It's usually easier to follow rules of social behavior than/than to depend on one's own taste.
    I'm inclined to use "than to" with reference to the first half of the sentence, but I was told "to" should be omitted here. I really don't know how to make such a choice. Sometimes it seems "than doing" is also OK.
    Looking forward to your help.

  2. #2
    tedtmc is offline Key Member
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    Default Re: than do something or than to do something

    It's usually easier to follow rules of social behavior than to depend on one's own taste.
    not a teacher

    Sounds better with the 'to' there though it could be omitted.

  3. #3
    corum is offline Banned
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    Default Re: than do something or than to do something

    It's usually easier [to follow rules of social behavior] than [to depend on one's own taste].

  4. #4
    tedtmc is offline Key Member
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    Default Re: than do something or than to do something

    It is not wrong to say
    Quote Originally Posted by corum View Post
    It's usually easier to [ follow rules of social behavior] than [depend on one's own taste].

  5. #5
    chance22 is offline Member
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    Default Re: than do something or than to do something

    Quote Originally Posted by tedtmc View Post
    It is not wrong to say
    Thank you. I still wonder what a native speaker will usually use in this kind of sentencs. Are they both OK or one of them is used more often.As in the ex, it's difficult to make a choice between them.

  6. #6
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    Raymott is offline VIP Member
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    Default Re: than do something or than to do something

    Quote Originally Posted by chance22 View Post
    Thank you. I still wonder what a native speaker will usually use in this kind of sentencs. Are they both OK or one of them is used more often.As in the ex, it's difficult to make a choice between them.
    You can use either. I tend to use the "to".

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