The use of the verb "to help"
I have some doubts about the correct use of the verb "to help".
At times, I find constructions such as "to help somebody to do something" (e.g. he helped his friend to escape).
At other times, the construction omits the "to": "to help somebody do something" (e.g. I helped her find the book).

Are these two construction both correct? Or do they have different shades of meaning?

Thank you!

Question

The use of the verb "to help"
I have some doubts about the correct use of the verb "to help".
At times, I find constructions such as "to help somebody to do something" (e.g. he helped his friend to escape).
At other times, the construction omits the "to": "to help somebody do something" (e.g.  I helped her find the book).

Are these two construction both correct? Or do they have different shades of meaning?

Thank you!

Answer

They are the same. For some reason, a lot of people have asked this question recently.

The verb 'help' sometimes functions as what is known as a causative verb. Causative verbs are followed by the base verb, or in other words, no 'to' is needed, and no conjugation. Other examples of causative constructions are : eg 'He let me go'  'He made them work'.

At other times, 'help' is followed by 'to' and the infinitive, but there is no difference in meaning between these forms.

I hope that was the answer you wanted to hear!

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