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

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Asked 9 years, 5 months ago

Modified 9 years, 5 months ago

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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?

tchrist♦

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asked Mar 17, 2015 at 2:03

theone

Either. The first actually reads a hair smoother.
– Hot Licks
Commented Mar 17, 2015 at 2:45
More like "Have a good reason to repeat'em."
– John Lawler
Commented Mar 17, 2015 at 2:54
... or delete 'em.
– Edwin Ashworth
Commented Mar 21, 2015 at 19:24

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