[Grammar] as to why

[Ferdie11]

Hello,

Could you please tell me the difference between the two sentence below.

Provide an explanation and a business justification as to why...
Provide an explanation and a business justification why...

Thanks for your help in advance.

 

[TheParser]

aQUOTE=Ferdie11;637364]Hello,

Could you please tell me the difference between the two sentence below.

Provide an explanation and a business justification as to why...
Provide an explanation and a business justification why...

Thanks for your help in advance.[/QUOTE]

********** NOT a teacher **********

Hello, Ferdie.

(1) According to Professor George O. Curme in his authoritative

two-volume A Grammar of the English Language, there is no

difference.

(1) The preposition (as to) is often omitted, he says.

(2) Some of his examples:

She had no idea [as to] why she thought of him thus suddenly.

I am in doubt [as to] whether I should buy or sell.

Be careful [as to] how you do that.

(3) In some sentences, however, it would probably not be a

good idea to omit as to. Here are two of the professor's

examples:

He had wisely made up his mind as to what could no longer

be avoided.

I am curious as to what he will say.

The professor does not say that we can delete the as to in those

two sentences. Personally, I would keep as to in the first example, but

I think that the second as to could be deleted -- at least in conversation.

Of course, when in doubt, use as to. You will always be correct.

THANK YOU