You may have heard people say that it isn't acceptable to split infinitives. The reason behind this long-standing tradition (I wouldn't call it a rule) is that in other languages, infinitives are always a single word, but in English, infinitives are two words that function together as a single unit. Therefore, they shouldn't not be split up.
Don't know what an infinitive is? An infinitive is the unconjugated form of a verb. Here are a few examples:
· To live
· To be
· To cry
· To run
You get it.
To split an infinitive is when you insert a word—usually an adverb—between "to" and the main verb. Here are some examples of split infinitives:
· To joyfully shout
· To morosely chant
· To quickly run
· To carefully touch
Whether it is acceptable to split infinitives is a matter of great debate, though it isn't as widely argued as the Oxford comma dilemma (in case you were wondering, I'm a wholehearted advocate of the Oxford. Long live serial commas!). The strictest grammarians will say that splitting infinitives is a no-go.
However, it will sound weird and unnatural if you avoid splitting infinitives at any cost. Therefore, unless you're writing for an audience of verb snobs, split infinitives at your leisure.
JE LEEST
Things Every Writer Should Know (but Most Don't)
Non-fictieYou have a wonderful idea for a story, and that is fantastic! But how can you make sure that poor mechanics don't distract your writers from your message? I address some of the most common errors in writing and tell you how to fix them.
