Could you please explain why the verb 'to watch' is used in a bare infinitive form in this sentence?
"All I've done today is watch television."
What should I google to find another examples with this grammatical structure?
Search from various English teachers...
Answers · 9
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Hi Samir,
In my opinion, both the bare infinitive and the infinitive are correct depending on the situation. Let me explain to you why.
My examples: “have to” structure
All I had to do was THAT I HAD TO watch television.
All I had to do was TO WATCH television.
All I had to do was WATCH television.
All I had to do was WATCHING television.
All four sentences are grammatically correct.
The first one uses a “real noun clause”.
The second one uses a “to + infinitive” form.
The third one uses an “elliptical noun clause”. (The same as the first sentence, but it is reduced.)
The fourth one uses a gerund.
All of them are acting as nouns.
Your sentence:
All I have done is THAT I HAVE WATCHED television.
All I have done is TO WATCH television.
All I have done is WATCH television.
All I have done is WATCHING television.
Here, this is similar to my examples. However, as you can see, a “real noun clause” in your sentence should use the “past participle” form of a verb, “watched”. “I have watched.”, not “I have watch.”.
This is because your sentence is not a “have to” structure, which is used for obligation. Knowing that, I would say that the third sentence, your sentence, is grammatically wrong.
The first, the second and the fourth sentence are grammatically correct in your sentence.
Please note that in a everyday conversation, it is acceptable and understood when the third sentence, your sentence, is used. This is just colloquial.
I couldn’t give you any link because this is just what I think about it based on my knowledge.
If you are wondering about the “elliptical noun clause”, here are both an elliptical adjective and an elliptical adverb clause:
Adjective one: Describing
Talking to Zoe, Tim is happy. Elliptical clause.
Tim, WHO IS talking to Zoe, is happy. Complete clause.
Adverb one: Showing relationship
(WHILE) Talking to Zoe, Tim is happy. Elliptical clause.
Tim is happy BECAUSE HE IS talking to Zoe. Complete clause.
Does that make sense?
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https://www.ef.com/english-resources/english-grammar/present-perfect-vs-simple-past/
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Thank you, Melanie.
Btw, for native AmE speakers it also sounds correct and natural.
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As a native speaker of British English, I find the original sentence 'All I have done today is watch television' correct and by far the most natural. Similarly: 'what would you like to do today - watch television or play tennis?', and 'I was so tired, all I wanted to do was watch television/sleep/go to bed, etc'
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