Problem in sentence: I'd like to go see a movie tonight....

Question

Hi,This is my first post Why do you say "I'd like to go see a movie tonight" instead "I'd like to go TO see a movie tonight"?Is there a general rule?Thanks in advance.

Philip · Accepted Answer

Marce512Hi,

This is my first post

Why do you say "I'd like to go see a movie tonight" instead "I'd like to go TO see a movie tonight"?

Is there a general rule?

Thanks in advance.

The second "to" is optional. I think the general ruling is that one infinitive is sufficient. "I'd like to go to the movie" would different, as the second "to" is a preposition.

Hope this helps.

Nona the brit · Answer

In speech you'd often say 'I'd to go and see a movie tonight'

Khoff · Answer

In speech you'd often say 'I'd to go and see a movie tonight'

Nona - I think you mean "I'd like to go and see a movie tonight." (It's strange to think that our typos might be taken as new idioms by English learners!)

CalifJim · Answer

Welcome to English Forums!

There is no general rule. The verbs of motion "go" and "come", like other such verbs, are often joined to another verb by "and" when you might expect "to".

Come and see me.
I'll go and get something to eat.
Could you run and get the mail?

"go and" and "come and" are often reduced to "go" and "come". "run and" is not normally reduced to "run" in this situation.

Come see me.
I'll go get something to eat.
*Could you run get the mail? (* means unacceptable)

"to" can be used, but it doesn't occur as often as "and" in that position. Native speakers do not find that it sounds as natural.

Come to see me.
I'll go to get something to eat.
Could you run to get the mail?

In contrast, both "try to" and "try and" are common.

Could you please try to call me tomorrow?
Could you please try and call me tomorrow?

CJ

Nona the brit · Answer

Oops sorry. Well spotted Khoff!<img class='emoticon' style='Width:19px;Height:19px;' data-delaysrc='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/10.gif' src='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/10.gif' alt='Emotion: embarrassed'/>

Anonymous · Answer

Califjim...very clear and impressive explanation! Awesome job. I'm going to copy down the whole thing! I'll try to ask you for clarification when I come up with some trouble!

Fran

Marce512 · Answer

Thanks for all your help!
Very clear!

Anonymous · Answer

I'd go to your house because it is clean<img class='emoticon' style='Width:19px;Height:19px;' data-delaysrc='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/33.gif' src='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/33.gif' alt='Emotion: money'/>

Problem in sentence: I'd like to go see a movie tonight....

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