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Anonymous Posted 17 years ago
Grammar

All I had to do was to lie

How to frame such sentences?

1) All I had to do was to lie.
or
All I had to do was lie.

2) All he did was nod.
or:
All he did was to nod.

3) The least you can do is stay away.
or:
The least you can do is to stay away.

Must the preposition 'to' be repeated in these cases? When can they be omitted and when should they be repeated? I am assuming that if it is past tense, as in #2, it can be omitted. Is this right?
  

Top answer

Anonymous Must the preposition infinitive marker 'to' be repeated in these cases? No. You can always include it or leave it out as you like.

— CalifJim

  • Anonymous Must the preposition infinitive marker 'to' be repeated in these cases?
  • No.
  • You can always include it or leave it out as you like.
  • There is no rule.
  • Most of the time you'll find that people leave it out.
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1 Answers
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AnonymousMust the preposition infinitive marker 'to' be repeated in these cases?
No. You can always include it or leave it out as you like. There is no rule. Most of the time you'll find that people leave it out.

CJ
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