#1  
Old 09-Jul-2005, 07:51
Newbie
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 8
Default Can you show me ?

Are there any diferences between " Everything you have to do is to find them " and " Everything you have to do is to find them " ?
Thank you teacher .
  #2  
Old 09-Jul-2005, 11:29
Casiopea's Avatar
VIP Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 12,971
Member Type: Other
Default Re: Can you show me ?

Quote:
Originally Posted by David
"Everything you have to do is to find them"
"Everything you have to do is to find them"
David, you've typed in the same sentence.
  #3  
Old 11-Jul-2005, 06:33
Newbie
Threadstarter  
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 8
Talking Re: Can you show me ?

Oh, Sorry, but I mean:
Everything you have to do is finding them
Everything you have to do is to find them
Everything you have to do is find them

Can you show me the difference ?
Thanks
  #4  
Old 12-Jul-2005, 07:12
Casiopea's Avatar
VIP Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 12,971
Member Type: Other
Default Re: Can you show me ?

It's the "Everything" that has me stumped. Try,

All you have to do is . . . .

As for the last part, I'd choose "(to) find them".
  #5  
Old 13-Jul-2005, 08:11
Newbie
Threadstarter  
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 8
Question Re: Can you show me ?

So what about the others, are they alright ?
  #6  
Old 13-Jul-2005, 09:28
Editor, UsingEnglish.com
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Posts: 34,371
Home Country: UK
Native Language: British English
Current Location: Philippines
Member Type: English Teacher
Default Re: Can you show me ?

I don't like the first with 'finding', and I agree with Casiopea about the other two.
  #7  
Old 14-Jul-2005, 08:02
Casiopea's Avatar
VIP Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 12,971
Member Type: Other
Default Re: Can you show me ?

Additionally, in that construction 'is' links two like structures. That's why 'to' occurs twice:

[1] All you have to do is to find them. (to-infinitive is to-infinitive)

As for [2] (see below) the second 'to' is omitted because it's redundant. That is, 'to' has already been stated in 'to do', so the speaker/writer leaves the second 'to' out.

[2] All you have to do is find them. (to-infinitive is infinitive)

All the best,
Closed Thread

Bookmarks

Tags
show


Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
About learning movie screenplays and TV show transcripts english-learner Ask a Teacher 4 05-Apr-2005 11:42
Some dialogues from US TV show geniusb English Idioms and Sayings 6 14-Nov-2004 08:43
words used to describe actions such as the ones used in show Anonymous Ask a Teacher 1 19-Jun-2004 15:53


All times are GMT. The time now is 01:02.



Content Relevant URLs by vBSEO ©2011, Crawlability, Inc.