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The
difference is one of form only. There is no difference in meaning.
to-infinitive or bare infinitive
Help is a verb that can be used with or without to
and with or without an object before the infinitive. When we use
it without an infinitive it sometimes sounds more informal. Compare
the following:
- Could you help me to look for my car keys? I can't
find them anywhere.
- Could you help me look for my car keys? I can't find
them anywhere.
- Would you like to help to cook dinner tonight? It's
late and I'm feeling tired.
- Would you like to help cook dinner tonight? It's late
and I'm feeling tired.
There are one or two other structures where to-infinitive
and the bare infinitive are both possible. Expressions with
do or did, such as what I've done or all
I did can follow either pattern.
- I hate shopping so what I've done is (to) order a new
computer over the Internet.
- All I did was (to) suggest that she should lend him no
more money. I didn't insist on it.
When two infinitive structures are connected by and, or
or, except or but and than or as,
it is normal practice to omit to in the second clause. Compare
the following:
- I would like you to tidy the house and (to) wash
the dishes before I get home.
- Would you prefer to have a snack now or (to) wait
until later before we eat?
- I could find nothing to do this afternoon, except read
my book.
My son does nothing but watch TV when he gets home from
school.
- It's quicker to bike to the station rather than take
the car.
- I have to fix breakfast for everybody as well as take
the children to school before I can leave for work.
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Bare
infinitive only
Generally speaking, bare infinitive structures are much less
common than to-infinitive structures, but after certain verbs
they are necessary.
We use the infinitive without to after modal auxiliary verbs
will, shall, would, could, can (but not be able to),
may, might, must (but not have to), should
(but not ought to), and needn't, (but not need
to, which behaves like a normal verb). Compare the following:
- I can't agree with you on this, though I would
like to be able to help you.
- You must finish your own work before you go out, but
you don't have to help your sister.
- It will be hot and sunny today so you should put on plenty
of sunscreen and you ought to wear a hat.
- He needn't take time off work, but he needs to
rest in the evenings and get a good night's sleep before
he sets off on the new expedition.
After the object after certain verbs, such as hear, see, make,
let, there is no to:
- I saw him pour the medicine down the loo and I heard
him laugh to himself.
- I cannot make you take this medication, I can only
ask you to take it.
- I can't let you go to bed hungry. You must let
me prepare you some supper.
After verbal idioms would rather and had better there
is no to:
- I'd rather swim in the pool than go down
to the beach.
Geoffrey has just driven up in his car. You'd better see
what he wants.
All of these, however, represent exceptions to the general rule.
Most infinitive structures begin with to:
- I decided to leave work early. I intended to
be home before six. And I had arranged to play tennis with
Joan in the evening.
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