Ron's ESL Blogs

Expert Teacher, Sidhartha Desai, answers your questions on English and English Learning. If you would like to submit your questions for publication, Click Here. (Questions may be edited)

Question 1:

Hi! I’ve heard a person saying, “Let’s go to play a game!” and I would like to know if it is correct. Is it OK to use infinitive verbs after LET’S GO? Is there any rule for that?

- Vieira, Brazil

Answer 1:

I’m very happy that you asked this question. I hear this mistake all the time and most students don’t realize that it’s a mistake.

After Let’s go we usually don’t use the infinitive form.

The correct way of saying it is: Let’s go play a game.

However, you can follow Let’s go with the preposition to; this is different than following it with to plus the infinitive. For example: Let’s go to school or let’s go to the office.

The same rule applies for all commands in the imperative voice.

For example, it is correct to say: Please, sit down.

It is incorrect to say: To please, sit down.

Another common mistake with this type of phrase is when we start a sentence with: Why don’t we… or Why not…

It is correct to say: Why don’t we see that movie tonight? Or Why not see that movie tonight?

It is incorrect to say: Why don’t we to see that movie tonight? Or Why not to see that movie tonight?

- Sidhartha Desai, www.ExpertEnglishTeacher.com

Question 2:

I don’t understand the meaning of “The salesman said he would be right over”

- Sylvain, France

Answer 2:

This is a very common expression in North America. It means: The salesman said he would be coming here very soon.

People often say, “I’ll be right over.” It means: I’m coming very soon.

- Sidhartha Desai, www.ExpertEnglishTeacher.com