Grammar

[Emanuelli]

I was wondering if you could help me understand the following sentences:
1.
a) I've seen: "I often wish that I was the youngest child in the family, so I could do what I want (to)". I put "to" in brackets so you can tell me if the use of it is optional or not.

Other example is: "He doesn't have concentration to start reading the books he needs (to).

I think it's optional. Am I right?

2.
If I want to say "Ela e o marido dela", can I say "she and her husband were at that party"?

3.
Can I say: "I leave my job at 5.00."? What's the difference between "go out" and "leave"?

4.
I've learned that I should use uncountable nouns or plural when I use "any". For example: "I don't have any books." If I say:"I don't have any book", is it wrong? I'm asking because I've already heard sth like that.

Thanks.

Emanuélli
manu874@hotmail.com

 

[Francois]

1) you're right
2) ok
3) leave is fine. 'go out' doesn't work here.
4) plural is most frequent, but I believe the singular is ok too.

FRC

 

[Casiopea]

In addition,

1a. ...I want/need to. (OK)

This speaker omits 'do' because it's redundant. That is, there are two do's in the sentence: EX: I can do whatever I want to (do).

1b. ...I want/need. (OK)

This speaker omits 'to' because s/he sees 'to do' as a set phrase. S/he thinks that if 'do' is omitted, then 'to' should be omitted, too. EX: I can do whatever I want (to do).

1c. ...I want/need to do. (OK)
This speaker does not omit 'to do'.

4a. I don't have any books. (OK)
4b. I don't have any book. (Not OK)
4c. I don't have any problem with you. (OK; any (one) kind of problem: a specific kind of problem)