Bite Size Grammar Tip: Split Infinitives
Splitting infinitives has long been understood as a violation of English grammar rules. However, the firmly held belief that infinitives should not be split may not be as clear-cut as we presume.
What is an Infinitive?
An infinitive is a verb in its most basic form. It is neither bound to a subject nor a tense. Infinitives are two-word forms of verbs. For example: to eat, to run, to dissent, to think, to exist.
What is a Split Infinitive?
A split infinitive occurs when a word, (often an adverb), is inserted between the two parts of the verb. Some examples include: to ravenously eat, to quickly run, and to angrily dissent. A famous and memorable example of a split infinitive is from Star Trek’s “to boldly go where no one has gone before.” “To boldly go” is a split infinitive; the adverb “boldly” is inserted between “to go,” thus splitting the verb in its infinitive form.
To Split or Not to Split the Infinitive?
The notion that one should not place an adverb in the middle of an infinitive was established in the mid 19th century. However, the split infinitive rule has seeped into English grammar books and for generations of students, it is a grammatical expectation that they have learned to adhere to. However, this grammar “rule” should not be considered a rule, per se.
If the writer is able to move the diction around without impeding or changing the meaning of the sentence, then he/she should consider keeping the infinitive intact. There is no need for a writer to deliberately split infinitives.
For example, usually a writer can move the intervening word around without impacting the meaning: “I’m going to diligently study for my upcoming English final” is contextually similar to “I’m going to study for my upcoming English final diligently.”
However, if keeping the infinitive intact changes the emphasis or the meaning of a sentence, or if it interrupts the fluidity and the flow of a sentence, then the writer should not adhere to the grammar “rule”.
If splitting the infinitive enhances a sentence’s clarity and meaning, then the “violation” of this grammar “rule” is harmless and hardly perceivable by the reader. Similarly, if a writer, in seeking to avoid split infinitives creates a sentence that sounds odd, clumsy, or awkward, then moving the innocuous word between the infinitive is preferred.
