When it comes to language, there are few topics that ignite as much passion and debate as the use of infinitives. Specifically, the widely held belief that it’s “bad” to split infinitives is one that has persisted for decades, if not centuries. But why is this the case? What makes splitting infinitives such a cardinal sin in the eyes of so many grammar aficionados?
The answer is surprisingly complex, and spans back to the origins of the English language itself. In short, an infinitive is a verb form that’s used as a noun, adjective, or adverb, and is typically composed of two parts: the word “to,” followed by the base form of a verb (e.g. “to go,” “to eat,” and so on). Splitting this construction involves placing a word or phrase between the “to” and the verb, and this is often frowned upon because it can (ostensibly) disrupt the intended meaning of a sentence and create ambiguity or confusion.
Of course, like many grammatical rules, the taboo against splitting infinitives is somewhat arbitrary, and there are situations where it can be perfectly acceptable, or even necessary. Nevertheless, the idea that such constructions are inherently “wrong” persists, and continues to be taught (and enforced) in many educational settings. So what does this mean for those of us who want to communicate effectively and elegantly in writing? Read on to find out!
What are infinitives?
Infinitives are the base form of a verb that typically begins with the word “to.” These verbs are not conjugated to fit a specific tense or subject, and their main purpose is to act as a noun, adjective, or adverb in a sentence. For example, the infinitive “to run” can be used as a noun in the sentence “Running is my favorite hobby,” as an adjective in “I need new running shoes,” or as an adverb in “I woke up early to run.”
Definition of Split Infinitives
Before delving into the reasons why it is bad to split infinitives, it is important to first understand what they are. An infinitive is the base form of a verb that is preceded by the word “to.” For example, “to run,” “to eat,” and “to read” are all infinitives. Splitting an infinitive involves placing an adverb or another word between “to” and the verb. For example, “to boldly go” instead of “to go boldly.”
Reasons Why It Is Bad to Split Infinitives
- Grammatical Incorrectness: Splitting an infinitive is often is incorrect from a grammatical standpoint. It can result in awkward and confusing sentences that are difficult to understand. For example, “to quickly eat” instead of “to eat quickly” can be confusing to a reader.
- Ineffectiveness: Splitting an infinitive can also diminish the effectiveness of a sentence. It can weaken the emphasis of the adverb and undermine the impact of the verb. For example, “to easily complete” instead of “to complete easily” puts less emphasis on the act of completing.
- Style and Clarity: Splitting an infinitive can also make writing seem clumsy and poorly written. It may also make writing unnecessarily wordy and difficult to understand. Proper grammar and writing style is important to convey the intended message and create a clear and concise piece of writing.
Examples of Split Infinitives
Here are some examples of split infinitives:
| Incorrect | Correct |
|---|---|
| To definitely write | To write definitively |
| To quickly run | To run quickly |
| To firmly grasp | To grasp firmly |
As these examples demonstrate, splitting infinitives can easily be avoided simply by restructuring the sentence. This will result in smoother, clearer writing that is easier to read and understand.
Infinitives are the base forms of verbs, and they are often used with the word “to” in front of them. Splitting an infinitive means placing an adverb between “to” and the verb. For example, “to boldly go” is a split infinitive because “boldly” splits the phrase “to go.”
The question is, why is it bad to split infinitives? Well, it’s not necessarily bad, but it can be seen as poor grammar and is often frowned upon in formal writing. The reason for this is that it can make sentences sound awkward or unclear. It’s important to understand the grammar rules related to infinitives to use them properly in writing.
- Placing the adverb between “to” and the verb, as in “to awkwardly dance.”
- Using a phrase as an adverb instead of an actual adverb, as in “to dance for joy.”
- Confusing gerunds with infinitives, as in “I love to swimming.”
How to use infinitives properly
Here are some guidelines to follow when using infinitives in your writing:
- Avoid splitting infinitives unless it is necessary for clarity.
- Use an infinitive as an adjective or noun, as in “the need to dance” or “to dance is fun.”
- Use gerunds (verb forms ending in -ing used as a noun) when appropriate, as in “swimming is good exercise.”
Examples of infinitives in a table
Here are some examples of infinitives and how they can be used in a sentence:
| Infinitive | Example |
|---|---|
| to dance | I love to dance. |
| to read | My favorite thing to do is to read. |
| to speak | She wants to speak with you. |
By following these guidelines and understanding the grammar rules related to infinitives, you can use them properly in your writing and avoid common errors. Remember, using proper grammar can make your writing clearer and more effective.
Why were split infinitives considered incorrect?
Split infinitives, which involve inserting an adverb in between the preposition “to” and the verb in an infinitive phrase, were long considered to be grammatically incorrect. However, this rule has become increasingly relaxed in modern times. But why were split infinitives considered incorrect in the first place?
- The origin of the rule: The rule against split infinitives appears to have originated in the 19th century, when Latin grammar was held as the standard for proper English grammar. Since you cannot split an infinitive in Latin, it was deemed inappropriate to do so in English as well.
- Prescriptive grammar: The rule was also seen as part of prescriptive grammar, which is concerned with how language should be used rather than how it is actually used. In this sense, prescriptive grammar attempts to impose rules on the way people speak and write, which can make it seem stuffy or outdated.
- Clarity of meaning: Another reason for the rule against split infinitives was the belief that a split infinitive could make a sentence unclear or difficult to understand. However, this is not always the case, and sometimes a split infinitive can actually make a sentence more clear.
Despite these reasons, the rule against split infinitives has largely fallen out of favor in modern times. In fact, some grammar experts argue that split infinitives can add emphasis or clarity to a sentence, and that they should be used when appropriate. Ultimately, the most important thing is to use language in a way that is clear, correct, and effective.
| Pros of split infinitives | Cons of split infinitives |
|---|---|
| Can add emphasis or clarity to a sentence | May still be seen as inappropriate or incorrect in certain contexts |
| Can make a sentence less awkward or convoluted | May cause confusion or ambiguity if used incorrectly |
| Allows for greater flexibility and range in language use | May be seen as non-traditional or informal |
Ultimately, the use of split infinitives comes down to personal preference and context. While some may argue that they are ungrammatical, there is no hard and fast rule against using them. As with any aspect of language, the key is to use them in a way that is appropriate and effective for your audience and purpose.
Split Infinitives in Modern Language
Split infinitives, which occur when an adverb or adverbial phrase is placed between the word “to” (the infinitive marker) and the main verb, have long been considered a grammar no-no. However, in modern language usage, this rule is becoming increasingly relaxed.
- Historical background: The rule against split infinitives originated in the 18th century, when grammarians sought to impose Latin grammar rules on English. However, English is not Latin, and it does not have the same grammatical structure. Modern linguists argue that it is unnecessary to follow arbitrary rules set by grammarians centuries ago.
- Improves clarity: Splitting infinitives can actually improve the clarity of a sentence by placing the adverb closer to the word it modifies. For example, “To boldly go where no man has gone before” is easier to understand than “To go boldly where no man has gone before.”
- Common usage: Many respected writers and publications frequently split infinitives in their writing, including The New Yorker, The Economist, and The Wall Street Journal. This shows that the rule against split infinitives is not as firm as it used to be.
Despite this shift in language usage, some still argue that split infinitives should be avoided. However, it is important to remember that grammar rules are not fixed and can evolve over time. As with any linguistic change, it is up to individual writers and speakers to decide whether or not to use split infinitives in their communication.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Improves clarity | Traditionalists may criticize usage |
| Allows for greater flexibility in language usage | Some may find it grammatically incorrect or awkward |
| Widely accepted in modern language usage | May be viewed as unprofessional in certain contexts (e.g. formal writing) |
In conclusion, while split infinitives were once considered taboo in English grammar, modern language usage has become more accepting of this construction. As writers and speakers, it is important to consider the context and audience when deciding whether or not to use split infinitives in our communication.
Examples of split infinitives
Splitting infinitives is a common grammatical mistake that many people make. An infinitive is a phrase that typically starts with the word “to” followed by a verb. When you split an infinitive, you insert one or more words between the “to” and the verb. This can change the meaning of the sentence and make your writing sound awkward or unclear.
Here are some examples of split infinitives:
- “To boldly go where no man has gone before.”
- “I want to quickly finish my homework.”
- “She decided to finally leave the company.”
In each of these examples, the infinitive is split by an adverb (“boldly,” “quickly,” and “finally”). While these sentences are still understandable, they could be improved by rephrasing them without the split infinitive.
| Incorrect | Correct |
|---|---|
| “To boldly go where no man has gone before.” | “To go boldly where no man has gone before.” |
| “I want to quickly finish my homework.” | “I want to finish my homework quickly.” |
| “She decided to finally leave the company.” | “She finally decided to leave the company.” |
As you can see, the corrected sentences are more concise and easier to read. They also convey the intended meaning more clearly.
Alternatives to Using Split Infinitives
Although some people may argue that splitting infinitives is acceptable in certain situations, it’s important to be aware of alternatives that can help you communicate your message clearly without relying on this controversial practice.
Here are some options to consider:
- Rearranging the sentence structure: Instead of splitting the infinitive, you can rearrange the sentence to place the adverb in a different position. For example, instead of saying “to boldly go,” you can say “to go boldly.”
- Using a different word: Depending on the context, there may be a different word you can use instead of splitting the infinitive. For example, instead of saying “to quickly run,” you can say “to sprint.”
- Using a different verb tense: Sometimes, using a different verb tense can help you avoid split infinitives. For example, instead of saying “to really enjoy,” you can say “I enjoyed it very much.”
It’s important to remember that there’s no one-size-fits-all solution for avoiding split infinitives. Your choice of alternative will depend on the context of your writing and the message you’re trying to convey.
| Split Infinitive | Alternative |
|---|---|
| To boldly go | To go boldly |
| To quickly run | To sprint |
| To really enjoy | I enjoyed it very much |
By considering these alternatives and being mindful of the potential consequences of split infinitives, you can improve the clarity and effectiveness of your writing.
Why is it bad to split infinitives?
- What are infinitives? Infinitives are verbs that have “to” before them (e.g. to run, to study).
- What is splitting infinitives? Splitting infinitives is when you put words between the “to” and the verb of an infinitive (e.g. to boldly go).
- Why is it bad to split infinitives? It can sound awkward or unclear to some readers, especially in formal writing.
- What are some examples of split infinitives? “To quickly eat,” “To carefully craft,” and “To basically understand” are all examples of split infinitives.
- Is it always bad to split infinitives? There are some cases where splitting infinitives can be appropriate for emphasis or clarity, but it should be used sparingly.
- What can I do instead of splitting infinitives? Try rearranging the sentence, finding a different verb, or using an adverb elsewhere in the sentence to avoid splitting the infinitive.
- Can splitting infinitives be considered a grammar mistake? It depends on the context and the style guide being followed, but in general, it is often seen as poor grammar in formal writing.
Thank you for reading!
Now that you know why splitting infinitives can be a problem, you can improve your writing and avoid this common mistake. Remember to use split infinitives sparingly and to consider alternatives. If you want to learn more about improving your writing, be sure to check back for more helpful tips and advice. Thanks for reading!