sentence structure

[blacknomi]

Most Americans think it's best to get down to brass tacks as soon as possible, and not waste time in small talk(social talk) or beating around the bush.

Shouldn't it be "it's best to get down...,and not to waste...or to beat around..."?

[Casiopea]

Shouldn't it be "it's best to get down...,and not to waste...or to beat around..."?

Try looking at it this way:

. . . to do this, and not (to do) this . . .

. . . waste time in small talk or waste time beating around the bush.

Most Americans think it's best to do this, and not this: waste time in small talk or waste time beating around the bush.

[blacknomi]

Most Americans think it's best to do this, and not this.

"And" serves as a conjucntion so it joints two grammatically the same elements.
Most Americans think it's best to do this and it's best not to do this.

But due to redundency, there are alternatives:
1- Most Americans think it's best to do this and not to do this.
2- Most Americans think it's best to do this and not this.


Doesn't #1 make sense?

[RonBee]

Blacknomi, you are right, but I think you mean to avoid redundancy (unnecessary words), not due to redundancy.

[Casiopea]

1- Most Americans think it's best to do this and not to do this.
2- Most Americans think it's best to do this and not this.

Doesn't #1 make sense?

It makes sense to me. But . . . isn't it just another alternative? That is, and here's a question you could help me with, isn't the underlying form:

It's best to do this and to not do this

[blacknomi]

WOW! Welcome back! How are you doing, Ron the Poet!

[blacknomi]

It makes sense to me. But . . . isn't it just another alternative? That is, and here's a question you could help me with, isn't the underlying form:

It's best to do this and to not do this

Cats----sie!
I think it's because the negative of "to do" is "not to do". Therefore, to do and not to do makes perfect sence.

MASQUERADE! To X and to X--infinitve faces on parade!

[RonBee]

WOW! Welcome back! How are you doing, Ron the Poet!

If I could just get paid to do this everything would be perfect.

We have left Saint Louis, and we are trying to start a new life in Charlotte. (It's not easy.)

(Better, I think, would be "It's best to do this and not to do that." (That one got past me the first time.))

I have a poem I want to post as soon as I find it. (It's kind of autobiographical.)

Well, I am running out of time again. I'll be back soon.

[blacknomi]

If I could just get paid to do this everything would be perfect.

We have left Saint Louis, and we are trying to start a new life in Charlotte. (It's not easy.)

(Better, I think, would be "It's best to do this and not to do that." (That one got past me the first time.))

I have a poem I want to post as soon as I find it. (It's kind of autobiographical.)

Well, I am running out of time again. I'll be back soon.

1- Ask Red5! (giggles)
2- You are back to Charlotte! Are you a missionary? They travel a lot to preach and preach and preach. I hope you have a bigger car to live in.

3- Post it! I love your poems!
4- Good bye, Mr. Clock-that runs out of time!

Happy New Year!

[RonBee]

No, I am not a missionary. I do enjoy public speaking, but not to convert people. (I just like to talk. )

We have no car, I'm afraid. (Not anymore.)

(I'm still looking for that poem.)

Sooner or later I always run out of time, because I get on at the library.

I'm learning how to "think fast".