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I am wondering whether the "to" should be repeated after a coordinating conjunction or not. For example,

a) [...] practical examples to round up the learning experience and provide the tools for real-world applications.

b) [...] practical examples to round up the learning experience and to provide the tools for real-world applications.

Are both a) or b) correct? If yes, which one is to be preferred in terms of "good style"?

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    Both are equally grammatical, and I can think of no stylistic difference, either. Repeating the to may in some circumstances sound a tad old-fashioned or a bit more formal, but in general I’d say there’s no difference between the two. Do note, however, that example is more commonly used with of + gerund than to + infinitive. Of course, since we can’t see the rest of your sentence, the infinitive may make sense in context here.
    – Janus Bahs Jacquet
    Commented Sep 30, 2015 at 19:19
  • Thanks for the comment, Janus. I am not a native English speaker, but I agree with you, the of + gerund sounds more natural. In this context, I didn't use a complete sentence, but used this phrase an keyword item in a numbered list, i.e., "I had 3 big goals in mind: 1. ..., 2. ..., 3. Providing practical examples to round up the learning experience and provide the tools for real-world applications." I used the infinitive to avoid 2 gerunds.
    – user99042
    Commented Sep 30, 2015 at 19:27
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    It depends on what it’s supposed to mean: does it refer to examples that show how to round up the learning experience, or does it refer to providing practical examples in order to round up the learning experience? If it’s the latter, then the infinitive is fine; if it’s the former, a gerund is miles better.
    – Janus Bahs Jacquet
    Commented Sep 30, 2015 at 19:29
  • In a formal written piece of work I think I would repeat the to and go for your second example. But not everyone would agree with me and it would not constitute an error to drop it.
    – WS2
    Commented Sep 30, 2015 at 19:31
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    The difference between the two examples relates to the relationship between the two results. If I say, "practical examples to round up the learning experience and provide the tools for real-world applications," I am suggesting that rounding up the learning experience and providing the tools are quite closely related, as in "to round up the learning experience, which in turn provides the tools." If I add the second "to," I am making it clear that either result could stand alone and that there is no relationship between the two.
    – user66965
    Commented Sep 30, 2015 at 19:35

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Both (a) and (b) are correct. (a) is better (swifter) if the context is clear, but (b) is better is there is any ambiguity: a long or nested phrase before the conjunction, a verb (instead of 'provide') that might be mistaken for a noun or adj (such as 'package'), or simply a complex idea that is new to a student.

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