"help + infinitive" OR "help to + infinitive"?

Hi Teachers,

In one of the forum's older posts, I have read that both variants are correct, but with this remark: "I'm going to leave the explanations to one of the other teachers here."

Could someone provide an explanation? Is "help" being used somewhat like modal verb here? Everybody seems to be using "help do" now, but is correct - or just acceptable?

Thanks!
Sergei

[Casiopea]

Could you direct me to the 'older' post? I'm having trouble finding it.

Here are directions to the 'older' post:

http://www.usingenglish.com/forum/ar...php/t-134.html

Cheers,
S

[Casiopea]

Originally Posted by sergei

Here are directions to the 'older' post:

http://www.usingenglish.com/forum/ar...php/t-134.html

Cheers,
S

If you scroll down, you'll find the following response was given for "help to" or "help":

Originally Posted by Mike in New York

Either form is acceptable. In both cases "clean" is an infinitive. One is a "to" infinitive and the other is a bare infinitive. The verb help takes either.

EX: help me to clean the house. (OK)
EX: help me clean the house. (OK)

Thanks for your reply. I have seen this answer, but I do not find this complete.
<<<<ither form is acceptable. In both cases "clean" is an infinitive. One is a "to" infinitive and the other is a bare infinitive. The verb help takes either.>>>>
More and more things are now "acceptable" by the general public, but what is the original rule? Any references (apart fromMike in New York)?

Anybody?

Thanks!
S

[Casiopea]

Originally Posted by sergei

Thanks for your reply. I have seen this answer, but I do not find this complete.
<<<<ither form is acceptable. In both cases "clean" is an infinitive. One is a "to" infinitive and the other is a bare infinitive. The verb help takes either.>>>>
More and more things are now "acceptable" by the general public, but what is the original rule? Any references (apart from Mike in New York)?

Anybody?

Thanks!
S

Verbs of perception — hear, see, watch — and a handful of other verbs — need, help, let, and make — will take what is called the bare infinitive, an infinitive without the particle "to."