Split Infinitives | Examples & Definition
In English, an infinitive is a verb form that is the same as the base or dictionary form. A full infinitive (aka to-infinitive) is preceded by “to” (e.g., “to study,” “to run”), while a bare infinitive is not (e.g., “study,” “run”).
A split infinitive occurs when another word separates “to” from the verb in a full infinitive.
Birth rates are expected to gradually decline.
The cat seems to really want some roast chicken.
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What is a split infinitive?
Infinitives in English are verb forms that are the same as the base or dictionary form. They have many uses, including functioning as subjects, nouns, or adjectives.
Full infinitives are also known as to-infinitives because they consist of “to” followed by the base form of the verb (e.g., “to jump”). A split infinitive is a full infinitive that has words (usually adverbs) separating “to” and the verb (e.g., “to joyfully jump”).
The researchers monitored the participants to better understand their behavior.
Is it okay to split an infinitive?
Grammarians have been debating split infinitives since at least the nineteenth century. In the 1800s, many (but not all) grammarians viewed split infinitives as ungrammatical, and a lot of schools began to teach this as fact. However, split infinitives are commonly viewed as acceptable and sometimes even necessary by modern grammarians and publications.
When to avoid split infinitives
Because some people still have a negative perception of split infinitives, it’s best to avoid them in academic or professional writing as long as the meaning or clarity isn’t affected.
Even in contexts where a split infinitive is acceptable, it might not always be the best choice; sometimes the adverb will sound more natural placed elsewhere in the sentence.
We need to leave immediately. (preferred)
She told him to carefully watch. (technically acceptable but sounds a little unnatural)
She told him to watch carefully. (preferred)
When to use split infinitives
In some instances, splitting the infinitive is the best option because the adverb cannot be placed anywhere else without making the sentence ungrammatical, unclear, or unnatural.
- She asked him cautiously to pass the box. (implies she is asking cautiously)
- She asked him to pass cautiously the box. (unnatural)
- She asked him to pass the box cautiously. (unclear whether she is asking cautiously or wants the box to be passed cautiously)
- She asked him to cautiously pass the box.
A split infinitive can be the clearest, simplest, most elegant choice without completely rewriting the sentence.
