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Ellipsis of "to" in successive infinitives

English Language & Usage Asked on April 29, 2021

Fowler’s Dictionary of Modern English Usage reads

When a second infinitive is used after a to-infinitive, the second
(and third, etc.) example is not necessarily preceded by to.
Contrast ‘can be induced to move or to change its orientation’ with
‘I
prefer not to live and work in the same room

Aren’t to move and to change infinives in the first sentence too?

One Answer

In the simplest terms, the second “to” adds emphasis and, often, separation. That emphasis is used to enhance the context.

I want you to verb1 and to verb2 indicates two distinct actions. I want you to wash the car and to dig the garden. The context should indicate why the two actions are, or need to be, distinct.

I want you to verb1 and verb2 indicates simultaneous actions. I want you to wait and see what happens.

In I want you to verb1 and verb2, verb1 and verb2 could be considered as one action/verb or that they are on a continuum.

‘(It) can be induced to move or to change its orientation’ = ‘(It) can be induced [either] to move [in a straight line] or to change its orientation [but not both or both at the same time].’

‘(It) can be induced [both] to move and change its orientation’ The action of the infinitives take place at the same time: there is movement and change.

‘I prefer not to live and work in the same room’ Both verbs share the same modifier. The action of the infinitives takes place at the same time.

‘I prefer not to live here or to work with you’ Neither verb shares the same modifier. The time of the action of the infinitives is unconnected/separate.

I want you to eat and enjoy the meal. Both infinitives share the same object and their action takes place at the same time.

I want you to stand up and to watch the horizon. The actions of the infinitives are separate – first you stand still, then you watch the horizon.

I want you to stand up and watch the horizon. The action of the infinitives takes place at the same time as part of a continuum – you will be standing up and watching the horizon - there is no separation in the actions.

I want you to stand up or to watch the horizon. The actions of the infinitives are separate – You can do one or the other, but not both.

I want you to stand up or watch the horizon. This is the same as above.

Answered by Greybeard on April 29, 2021

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