Which version is correct?

Question

Which version is correct?How big do you want the shirt to be?How big do you want the shirt?

Canadian45 · Accepted Answer

What is the context in which the question is being asked?

RandomGuy · Answer

They are both grammatically correct.

Anonymous · Answer

Salesperson say "both sizes fit, but it depends on how you like it. "How big do you want the shirt to be? How big do you want it?

You want to buy a jersey to put up on your wall, your a fan of baseball, the salesperson says, how big do you want the jersey to be? How big do you want the jersey?

Canadian45 · Answer

AnonymousSalesperson say "both sizes fit, but it depends on how you like it. "How big do you want the shirt to be? How big do you want it?You want to buy a jersey to put up on your wall, your a fan of baseball, the salesperson says, how big do you want the jersey to be? How big do you want the jersey?

In my opinion, the sentences with "to be" are better. Although in your examples both sentences are understandable, in most cases 'How adjective do you want X?' sounds odd.

I don't think that 'How big do you want the jersey?' is nearly as commonly heard as the version with "to be" or as commonly heard as 'How big a jersey do you want"

'How much older than you do you want your future husband?' (sounds much better with "to be")

In some cases the meaning will change without "to be".
'How long do you need the rope (to be)?'

Which version is correct?

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