Repeated elements following an “and”: Use ’em or Lose ’em?

Asked Mar 17 '15 at 02:03

Active Mar 17 '15 at 02:15

Viewed 22 times

Here is a sentence:

You have to be nice to alleviate the social anxiety and start a healthy relationship.

Should it be like that or like this:

You have to be nice to alleviate the social anxiety and to start a healthy relationship."

The first does not have a to, but the second does. Which should I use, and why? Or doesn’t it matter?

edited Mar 17 '15 at 02:15

tchrist

asked Mar 17 '15 at 02:03

theone

Either. The first actually reads a hair smoother. – Hot Licks Mar 17 '15 at 02:45
More like "Have a good reason to repeat'em." – John Lawler Mar 17 '15 at 02:54
... or delete 'em. – Edwin Ashworth Mar 21 '15 at 19:24

0 Answers0