SPLIT INFINITIVES
As a rule, it is best to avoid splitting infinitives whenever possible. The infinitive form of a verb is preceded by the particle 'to' ...
- to skip
- to swim
- to laugh
To split the infinitive is to put an adverb between the 'to' and the 'verb'. The adverb should go either before the verb or after it.
However, some people think that this is being pedantic. Sometimes, splitting the infinitive makes for a more powerful statement:
- 'To boldly go' has a greater impact than 'to go boldly'. You may recognise this from
Star Trek!
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.
www.oxforddictionaries.com
- to skip
- to swim
- to laugh
To split the infinitive is to put an adverb between the 'to' and the 'verb'. The adverb should go either before the verb or after it.
However, some people think that this is being pedantic. Sometimes, splitting the infinitive makes for a more powerful statement:
- 'To boldly go' has a greater impact than 'to go boldly'. You may recognise this from
Star Trek!
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.
www.oxforddictionaries.com
