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Vincent Teo Posted 15 years ago
Grammar

Clean / clean up

Can I say,

(a) They helped to clean / clean up the rubbish.

(b) Ali helped me and John to clean the rubbish.

(c) They helped to collect the rubbish.
  

Top answer

(a) They helped (to) clean up the rubbish. (b) Ali helped me and John clean up the rubbish. (c) They helped (to) collect the rubbish.

  • (a) They helped (to) clean up the rubbish.
  • (b) Ali helped me and John clean up the rubbish.
  • (c) They helped (to) collect the rubbish.
  • O.
  • When direct object intervenes, 'to' sounds more awkward.
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1 Answers
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(a) They helped (to) clean up the rubbish.

(b) Ali helped me and John clean up the rubbish.

(c) They helped (to) collect the rubbish.

'To' is optional when there is no D.O. When direct object intervenes, 'to' sounds more awkward.

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