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Anonymous Posted 17 years ago
Grammar

Grammar

"All you can do is wait" ,"All you can is wait" Which of the two mentioned sentences is correct and why?
  

Top answer

Hi, "All you can do is wait" ,"All you can is wait" Which of the two mentioned sentences is correct and why? Only the former is correct. 'Can' needs to be associated clearly with another verb, and the syntax in #2 does not do that.

— Clive

  • Hi, "All you can do is wait" ,"All you can is wait" Which of the two mentioned sentences is correct and why?
  • Only the former is correct.
  • 'Can' needs to be associated clearly with another verb, and the syntax in #2 does not do that.
  • With #2 above, I have to ask myself 'What does this mean'?
  • eg All you can say is wait ?
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4 Answers
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Hi,

"All you can do is wait" ,"All you can is wait" Which of the two mentioned sentences is correct and why?

Only the former is correct.




'Can' needs to be associated clearly with another verb, and the syntax in #2 does not do that.

With #2 above, I have to ask myself 'What does this mean'?

eg All you can say is wait ?

eg
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"All you need to do is wait". Is the word wait in infinitive form ? Is 'to' before 'wait' optional or redundant? Why don't we generally use the gerund form ?
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Anonymous"All you need to do is wait". Is the word wait in infinitive form ? Yes. Is 'to' before 'wait' optional or redundant? Both. Why don't we generally use the gerund form ? Tradition!
I believe you may use the
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Hi Anon

I have merged your two threads since they in essence asked the same question.
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