When Not to Use the Word 'To'
2020-08-14
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1This is Everyday Grammar.
2On many of our programs, we talk about the dos of the English language - how and when to use grammatical forms.
3But on today's program, we will tell you about some don'ts - in this case, when not to use something: the word "to."
4The word "to" can act as a preposition, part of a phrasal verb, or part of an infinitive verb, depending on how it is used.
5Let's begin by discussing when to avoid use of "to" after the verb "go."
6You have probably heard native English speakers say things like, "I'm going to work" or "I'm going to school."
7But why don't they say, "I'm going to home"?
8English learners are generally taught to use "to" when talking about going to a place.
9Well, that applies most of the time.
10However, some words present exceptions.
11The word "home" is one of them.
12Let me explain why.
13"Home" seems like a clear noun, right?
14However, we often use it as an adverb.
15In fact, this is key to knowing which words do not come with the preposition "to."
16Listen to how this speaker uses "home" in a question:
17Are you going home? I need a ride to 16th Street.
18Here, "home" is an adverb, not a noun.
19Notice that the verb is "go."
20After this verb and before some place adverbs, we do not use the preposition "to."
21Now, let's talk about other adverbs that follow this "rule."
22The words "downstairs" and "upstairs" are place adverbs that describe levels inside a home or building.
23Listen to how this speaker uses one of them with the verb "go":
24Let's go downstairs. I want to show you my art collection.
25Make sense so far? Great!
26Other place adverbs that follow this same rule include "there" and "somewhere."
27A common mistake of English learners is to say something like, "I'm going to there."
28People will still understand your meaning.
29But it's good to know the right way, which the following two speakers use.
30Have a listen:
31It's my birthday! I want to go somewhere special.
32How about the local vineyard? Renee is going there for her birthday next week.
33There are a few more place adverbs that are not preceded by the preposition "to" when used with the verb "go."
34They include "inside" "outside" "underground" "abroad" and "downtown."
35It's also worth noting that this applies to a few verbs other than "go."
36For example, with the verb "run," I would say, "I have to run downtown" rather than "I have to run to downtown."
37The verb "arrive" is another that never gets the preposition "to" after it.
38In other words, avoid say something like, "We arrived to the airport at 5:00" or responding, "OK great. What time will you arrive to Washington, D.C.?"
39Listen to these speakers correct those two examples:
40We arrived at the airport at 5:00.
41OK great. What time will you arrive in Washington, D.C.?
42Note however that the phrasal verb "get to" is much more common than "arrive."
43So, you might hear native English speakers say this instead:
44We got to the airport at 5:00.
45OK great. What time will get to Washington, D.C.?
46Even with the verb "get to," we sometimes take out "to," such as when using the place adverbs we have been discussing.
47In other words, saying, "I got downtown at noon" is right, while saying "I got to downtown at noon" is not.
48The next verbs are "stop" and "prevent."
49These verbs mean the same thing, but "stop" sounds more natural in everyday speaking and writing.
50Avoid using "to" after these verbs.
51The usual sentence structure is to follow them with an object, then the preposition "from" and then a gerund.
52That's a lot easier than it sounds! Here is proof:
53The password prevents people from stealing your information.
54The password stops people from stealing your information.
55The object here is "people," followed by the preposition "from" and the gerund "stealing."
56And finally, we move to causative verbs.
57You may remember earlier programs that discussed causatives such as "let" and "make."
58There are more than 10 causative verbs in English.
59Most are followed by an infinitive verb.
60However, a few are only followed by the base form of verbs.
61"Let" and "make" are examples of this.
62Listen to this speaker use "let" and pay attention for what verb comes after:
63Our friend let us take some veggies from his garden.
64She used the base form of the verb "take."
65Notice that she did not say, "Our friend let us to take some veggies from his garden."
66So, what can you do with this information?
67Well, first, remember that using "to" in the wrong places usually will not stop others from understanding you.
68Next, avoid trying to memorize what you learned today.
69Instead, pay attention for the place adverbs and verbs wherever English is being used.
70Then, ask yourself if the word "to" is present.
71I'm Alice Bryant.
1This is Everyday Grammar. 2On many of our programs, we talk about the dos of the English language - how and when to use grammatical forms. But on today's program, we will tell you about some don'ts - in this case, when not to use something: the word "to." 3The word "to" can act as a preposition, part of a phrasal verb, or part of an infinitive verb, depending on how it is used. 4'Go' and place adverbs 5Let's begin by discussing when to avoid use of "to" after the verb "go." 6You have probably heard native English speakers say things like, "I'm going to work" or "I'm going to school." But why don't they say, "I'm going to home"? 7English learners are generally taught to use "to" when talking about going to a place. Well, that applies most of the time. However, some words present exceptions. 8The word "home" is one of them. Let me explain why. 9"Home" seems like a clear noun, right? However, we often use it as an adverb. In fact, this is key to knowing which words do not come with the preposition "to." 10Listen to how this speaker uses "home" in a question: 11Are you going home? I need a ride to 16th Street. 12Here, "home" is an adverb, not a noun. Notice that the verb is "go." After this verb and before some place adverbs, we do not use the preposition "to." 13Now, let's talk about other adverbs that follow this "rule." 14The words "downstairs" and "upstairs" are place adverbs that describe levels inside a home or building. Listen to how this speaker uses one of them with the verb "go": 15Let's go downstairs. I want to show you my art collection. 16Make sense so far? Great! 17Other place adverbs that follow this same rule include "there" and "somewhere." A common mistake of English learners is to say something like, "I'm going to there." People will still understand your meaning. But it's good to know the right way, which the following two speakers use. Have a listen: 18It's my birthday! I want to go somewhere special. 19How about the local vineyard? Renee is going there for her birthday next week. 20There are a few more place adverbs that are not preceded by the preposition "to" when used with the verb "go." They include "inside" "outside" "underground" "abroad" and "downtown." 21It's also worth noting that this applies to a few verbs other than "go." For example, with the verb "run," I would say, "I have to run downtown" rather than "I have to run to downtown." 22The verb 'arrive' 23The verb "arrive" is another that never gets the preposition "to" after it. In other words, avoid say something like, "We arrived to the airport at 5:00" or responding, "OK great. What time will you arrive to Washington, D.C.?" 24Listen to these speakers correct those two examples: 25We arrived at the airport at 5:00. 26OK great. What time will you arrive in Washington, D.C.? 27Note however that the phrasal verb "get to" is much more common than "arrive." So, you might hear native English speakers say this instead: 28We got to the airport at 5:00. 29OK great. What time will get to Washington, D.C.? 30Even with the verb "get to," we sometimes take out "to," such as when using the place adverbs we have been discussing. In other words, saying, "I got downtown at noon" is right, while saying "I got to downtown at noon" is not. 31The verbs 'prevent' and 'stop' 32The next verbs are "stop" and "prevent." These verbs mean the same thing, but "stop" sounds more natural in everyday speaking and writing. 33Avoid using "to" after these verbs. The usual sentence structure is to follow them with an object, then the preposition "from" and then a gerund. That's a lot easier than it sounds! Here is proof: 34The password prevents people from stealing your information. 35The password stops people from stealing your information. 36The object here is "people," followed by the preposition "from" and the gerund "stealing." 37Causative verbs 38And finally, we move to causative verbs. 39You may remember earlier programs that discussed causatives such as "let" and "make." There are more than 10 causative verbs in English. Most are followed by an infinitive verb. However, a few are only followed by the base form of verbs. "Let" and "make" are examples of this. 40Listen to this speaker use "let" and pay attention for what verb comes after: 41Our friend let us take some veggies from his garden. 42She used the base form of the verb "take." Notice that she did not say, "Our friend let us to take some veggies from his garden." 43What can you do? 44So, what can you do with this information? 45Well, first, remember that using "to" in the wrong places usually will not stop others from understanding you. 46Next, avoid trying to memorize what you learned today. Instead, pay attention for the place adverbs and verbs wherever English is being used. Then, ask yourself if the word "to" is present. 47I'm Alice Bryant. 48Alice Bryant wrote this story for Learning English. Caty Weaver was the editor. 49_______________________________________________________________ 50Words in This Story 51phrasal verb - n. a group of words that functions as a verb and is made up of a verb and a preposition, an adverb, or both 52infinitive verb - n. the basic form of a verb with the word "to" 53key - n. something that is necessary in order to do or achieve something 54vineyard - n. a field where grapes are grown 55precede - v. to happen, go or come before something 56gerund - n. a noun ending in -ing 57password - n. a secret series of numbers or letters that allows you to use a computer system 58causative - adj. making something happen or exist : causing something