0
Anonymous Posted 20 years ago
Grammar

All you have to do is.....

I know Americans prefer " All you have to do is practice English harder." to "All you have to do is to practice English harder."

Can anyone tell me why is that?

I will expect more than hearing "We just say so."

Thanks.
  

Top answer

The to is optional. I don't believe that it is regional, but rather individual. Is that any better?

— Mister Micawber

  • The to is optional.
  • I don't believe that it is regional, but rather individual.
  • Is that any better?
Free · every Monday

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.

8 Answers
0
The to is optional. I don't believe that it is regional, but rather individual. Is that any better?
0
0
You can say either in British English too.

You can think of the to-less version as borrowing "to" from "do":

1. All you have to | do | is | practice English harder.

MrP
0
0
Does anyone know the origin of the American (and British???):

?All's you do is ...
?Alls you do is ...

CJ
0
0
I don't think I've heard that one over here, CJ!
0
0
Hi CJ,

It's a part of "Black English" in the USA, isn't it? Do people still talk about Ebonics?

Clive
0
0
From Merriam-Webster Online:

Main Entry: Ebon·ics
Pronunciation: E-'bä-niks, i-, e-
Function: noun plural but singular in construction
Etymology: blend of ebony and phonics
1: A musical composition played entirely on the black keys of the piano.
0
0
The other definition hasn't made it into the dictionary yet? Emotion: surprise
0
0
It's a part of "Black English" in the USA, isn't it?
Good try, but no, absolutely not. I know a few lily-white people who use this expression quite often!
I keep thinking it comes from "All it is that you have to do is ..." or "All there is that ...", but who knows.

CJ
0

Related Questions