Except (to) V (We had nothing to do except to look at the cinema posters.)

[Sitifan]

1. We had nothing to do except to look at the cinema posters.
2. We had nothing to do except look at the cinema posters.
3. Since the accident he has been unable to speak, except to say "mama."
4. Since the accident he has been unable to speak, except say "mama."
Which of the above sentences do you think is NOT acceptable?
_________________
Thank you very much for your reply.

[Yankee]

Hi Sitifan

My American ear rejects sentence 4.

I would prefer sentences 1+ 2 with 'look' rather than 'to look'.

Others may react differently.
.
_________________
Amy
.
ESL teacher, and native speaker of American English

[Sitifan]

I am sorry. I made a typo. I have corrected it now.
Thank you, Yankee.
_________________
Thank you very much for your reply.

[Skrej]

I agree, sentence #4 won't just won't work, no ifs, and, or buts. End of discussion.

I'd prefer #2 over #1, but I don't think #1 is necessarily wrong, just less pleasing to my ear.

#3 is correct as written.
_________________
Native speaker but not a perfect speaker.
But completely fluent in over six million forms of Teflese.

[Sitifan]

He did everything to help me, except ____ me money.
(A) give (B) to give
Which choice is correct?
_________________
Thank you very much for your reply.

[Yankee]

Hi Sitifan

Choice (A) is best:

He did everything ... except give...
He did everything ... except (he didn't) give
.
_________________
Amy
.
ESL teacher, and native speaker of American English

[Sitifan]

...do...except + bare infinitive
He’s done nothing all day except sit around and watch television.
Tom does every thing around the house except cook.
I have a computer that can do anything except talk.
He does nothing except eat all day.
He had nothing to do except spend money.
We had nothing to do except look at the cinema posters.
.............................................................................................
except + to-infinitive
Since the accident he has been unable to speak, except to say “mama.”
He wouldn’t talk about work, except to say that he was busy.
_________________
Thank you very much for your reply.