Skip to main content

Ellipsis: infinitives

to used instead of whole infinitive: We hope to.​

We can use to instead of the whole infinitive of a repeated verb (and following words), if the meaning is clear.

  • ‘Are you and Gillian getting married?’ ‘We hope to.’
  • ‘Let’s go for a walk.’ ‘I don’t want to.’
  • I don’t dance much now, but I used to a lot.
  • Sorry I shouted at you. I didn’t mean to.
  • ‘Somebody ought to clean up the bathroom.’ ‘I’ll ask Jack to.’

Be and have (used for possession) are not usually dropped.

  • There are more flowers than there used to be. (not … than there used to.)
  • She hasn’t been promoted yet, but she ought to be. (not … but she ought to.)
  • You’ve got more freckles than you used to have. (not You’ve got more freckles than you used to.)

Ellipsis of whole infinitive: I’ll try.​

In some cases the whole infinitive can be left out. This happens after nouns and adjectives.

  • He’ll never leave home; he hasn’t got the courage (to).
  • You can’t force him to leave home if he’s not ready (to).

It also happens after verbs which can stand alone without a following infinitive.

  • ‘Can you start the car?’ ‘I’ll try (to).’

(would) like, want, etc​

We cannot usually leave out to after would like/love/hate/prefer, want and choose.

  • ‘Are you interested in working abroad?’ ‘I’d like to. ’ (not … I’d like.)
  • My parents encouraged me to study art, but I didn’t want to. (not … I didn’t want.)

However, to is often dropped after want, and almost always after like, when these are used after certain conjunctions – for instance when, if, what, as.

  • Come when you want (to).
  • I’ll do what I like.
  • Stay as long as you like.