Hi everyone! I hope you’re all well. Today I will be exploring the ‘Split Infinitive’, something that has been a bone of contention in the writing community for such a long time.

Splitting Infinitives

English grammar can be a tricky thing to understand, particularly when it comes to issues like the split infinitive. This term is often debated among grammarians and language enthusiasts and has caused much controversy for many years.

So, let’s explore what a split infinitive is, why they matter, and how to use them correctly.

What Even is a Split Infinitive?

In English, a split infinitive occurs when an adverb or adverbial phrase is plonked between the word “to” and the verb. For instance, “to boldly go” (as in the famous opening line of Star Trek uttered by Kirk and then Picard) instead of “to go boldly“. 

Why Have Split Infinitives Been Controversial for So Long?

Well, It all started with prescriptive grammarians in the 19th century who took it upon themselves to establish rules for proper usage in the English language. According to these grammarians, splitting an infinitive was seen as a violation of the so-called “natural order” of the language. Instead, they advocated placing the adverb before the infinitive, believing this would make the sentence more precise and elegant.

This approach has been hotly debated by linguistic scholars and grammarians ad nauseam, and it turns out that split infinitives are not only grammatically correct but are also commonly used in both spoken and written English. In fact, some of the most well-known writers in history have used split infinitives in their work, including Charles Dickens, Jane Austen, and Mark Twain. 

So Should they be used or Not?

The truth is that split infinitives can be practical in expressing emphasis and conveying a particular tone. For instance, “I want to really help” has a different meaning and tone than “I really want to help”. In this example, the split infinitive “to really help” emphasizes the speaker’s intention to provide genuine assistance. The second version places more emphasis on the speaker’s desire to help.

In recent years, there has been a shift towards accepting split infinitives as a natural part of the English language. Many linguists and grammarians argue that splitting the infinitive can lead to more explicit and concise sentences, which may be particularly useful in technical or academic writing.

The most significant thing to remember when using split infinitives is to use them intentionally and thoughtfully. If you are using a split infinitive to add emphasis or nuance to a sentence, make sure that it does not cause confusion or disrupt the flow and structure of the sentence.

It’s also important to note that split infinitives are generally considered more acceptable in informal writing or speech than in formal contexts like academic papers or business documents. Though, if you are unsure whether or not you should use a split infinitive, it’s better to err on the side of caution and avoid it altogether.

Well, that’s the deal with split infinitives.

Thank you, as ever, for stopping by. I hope you found this post interesting and picked up some new knowledge!

Until next time,

George

© 2023 GLT

Categories: Editing, English Language, Writing Tips

Tags: English, grammar, Infinitives, language, Split, split infinitives, To Boldly Go, Writing Tips