Ask + Parenthetical remark (with or without “to”?)

Question

Be the next line of dialogue:
‘Edward, how can this be possible?’ Vicky asked, not so much (to) Edward but (to) herself, and then left.
Is this sentence grammatically correct with or without “to”?
I’d be very grateful to anyone helping me to settle this question.

Yevgeny Simkin · Answer

There is no "to" necessary here. The sentence is grammatically correct without the "to"s
Note, also, that you never ask a question "to" someone. You ask a question of someone.
So - if you wanted to modify your sentence it would also be correct if it was framed as
Vicky asked not so much of Edward but of herself.

Ask + Parenthetical remark (with or without “to”?)

One Answer

Add your own answers!

Ask a Question