When learning English, sentence structure can sometimes seem confusing, especially when it comes to omitting certain words like ‘to’. In this article, we will address a common question regarding the use of ‘to’ in sentences like ‘I won’t go there even if he tells me to’.
Understanding ‘Go There’ and the Omission of ‘To’
The sentence ‘I won’t go there even if he tells me to’ contains the phrase ‘go there’, with ‘to’ at the end of the sentence. The question arises as to why ‘to’ is omitted in the main part of the sentence (‘I won’t go there’) but included at the end (‘tells me to’).
In English, the verb ‘go’ often doesn’t need the preposition ‘to’ when it is used with a destination or direction, as in ‘go there’. However, in sentences where a verb is followed by another verb, like ‘tells me to’, the preposition ‘to’ is necessary to link the two verbs, following the verb ‘tells’.
Why ‘To’ Can Be Omitted in ‘Go There’
In informal speech and writing, when ‘go’ is used with a destination, the ‘to’ is often implied and omitted. For example, ‘I will go there’ is perfectly fine without the ‘to’. The word ‘there’ acts as a destination on its own, so ‘to’ is not necessary.
However, when the sentence includes a verb like ‘tells’ that requires a direct object and is followed by an infinitive verb, such as ‘to go’, the ‘to’ is needed to complete the infinitive form. So, the sentence ‘he tells me to go’ includes ‘to’ because ‘tells’ needs a direct object followed by an infinitive verb.
General Rules for Using ‘To’ with ‘Go’
1. **Omitting ‘to’**: When ‘go’ is used with a place or direction, ‘to’ can often be omitted. For example, ‘I want to go there’ can simply be ‘I want to go there.’ The preposition ‘to’ is understood, so it is often dropped.
2. **Using ‘to’ with an Infinitive Verb**: If the sentence involves a verb that requires an infinitive (like ‘tells me to’), ‘to’ is necessary. For example, ‘He told me to go there’ must include ‘to’ between ‘tells’ and ‘go’.
Conclusion
In summary, ‘to’ is not always required in the phrase ‘go there’ because of the nature of the verb ‘go’ and its use with a direction or destination. However, when paired with another verb that needs an infinitive, such as ‘tells me to’, the ‘to’ is essential. By understanding these rules, you can better navigate when to use and omit ‘to’ in sentences like these.
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