Why is a split infinitive bad

In formal writing, it is considered bad style to split an infinitive, but in more informal writing or in speech this has become more acceptable. In speech, the word really is often placed between to and the verb:.

Placing really after forget makes the second sentence sound awkward. Really is such a problematic word, it is best to avoid its use in writing and use a more specific adverb. Some degree adverbs such as completely, entirely, unduly can also create awkward sentences when placed after the verb. A better choice here would be to put the adverb completely at the very end of the sentence. Sometimes avoiding the use of a split infinitive creates ambiguity. Consider the following examples:. In the second sentence, occasionally modifies the verb told and, in fact, alters the meaning of the sentence.

However, placing occasionally at the end of the sentence creates ambiguity; does it modify the verb told now or the verb monitor? The best position of the modifier occasionally is right after the verb monitor as in:. In formal writing, sentences in which there is more than one element in the infinitive phrase should be avoided:. This produced Au contraire. However, now that most people, including language experts, are relaxed about split infinitives, that changes.

To boldly go for it: why the split infinitive is no longer a mistake. Photograph: Alamy Stock Photo. Notify me of new posts via email. Menu Skip to content Home About. Search for:. Remember that an infinitive is a verb in its most basic form , with the word to and then the verb, such as to love to sleep to play A split infinitive is when an adverb is inserted between to and the verb.

Here are some more examples of split infinitives: to quickly write to happily read to frankly say Join my private Facebook writing group today! Like this: Like Loading The Difference Between Epidemic vs. But that is an interesting thought.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply Enter your comment here Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in:. To pointlessly split infinitives is inadvisable. Thus, one might argue that the last example would be best rewritten as follows: To split infinitives is pointlessly inadvisable.

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