Split Infinitives
● Infinitive: an infinitive is the basic part of a verb, e.g., to dance, to sing, to play, to go.
○ In English it is always characterized by the word 'to':
○ e.g. to work, to pay, to eat, to find, to inhabit, to bribe...
● A 'split infinitive' is a grammatically construction that occurs when the 'to' is separated from its verb
by other words.
○ [split infinitive] “To boldly go where no man has gone before”
[fix] "to go boldly"
○ [split infinitive] She used to secretly admire him.
[fix] She used secretly to admire him.
○ [split infinitive] You have to really watch him.
[fix] You really have to watch him.
● Harry's teacher told him to never look back.
○ Harry's teacher told him never to look back.
● She told me I had to quickly finish this sandwich.
○ She told me I had to finish this sandwich quickly.
● I thought it best to quietly sneak away from the accident.
○ I thought it best to sneak away from the accident quietly.
● I was told to always pay attention in class.
○ I was told always to pay attention in class.
● The „rule‟ against splitting infinitives isn‟t followed as strictly today as it used to be. Nevertheless,
some people do object very strongly to them. As a result, it‟s safest to avoid split infinitives in formal
writing, unless the alternative wording seems very clumsy or would alter the meaning of your
sentence.
Split Infinitive Exercises
1. I was told to always keep a good look out.
2. She said I had to quickly finish my homework.
3. I really want to fully understand this concept.
4. She was impatient to finally leave home.
5. He decided to completely re-write his essay.
6. I decided to definitely accept the invitation.
7. The bandits wanted to suddenly strike.
