Why the author use "getting" instead of "get" in the following sentence ?
If Gillibrand, the first New York senator to sit on the Agriculture Committee in 40 years, can do something about reversing that--and getting people to eat healthier food from local sources--she will be doing the state and nation a real service.(The Daily Gazette, Schenectady, New York, July 24, 2009,A9)

In this sentence, why the author use "getting" instead of "get" ? And why does he use dashes ( -- ) ?

Thanks

Question

Why the author use "getting" instead of "get" in the following sentence ?
If Gillibrand, the first New York senator to sit on the Agriculture Committee in 40 years, can do something about reversing that--and getting people to eat healthier food from local sources--she will be doing the state and nation a real service.(The Daily Gazette, Schenectady, New York, July 24, 2009,A9)

In this sentence, why the author use "getting" instead of "get" ? And why does he use dashes ( -- ) ?

Thanks

Answer

The author is making it parallel to "reversing" instead of "do".  Here, she is DOING two things: (1) reversing that and (2) getting people to eat healthier food.

A sentence with a slightly different meaning would say that she "can" do two things: (1) do something about reversing that and (2) *get* people to eat healthier food.

Both are acceptable.  It just depends on how the author organized everything in his or her mind.

Answer

the verbs need to agree.
"reversing" and "getting" agree.

Answers · 2

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