NRTC English: When and how to avoid split infinitives in your writing

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

If you want to make sure your sentences are clear and correct, one thing to watch out for is a split infinitive. But what exactly is a split infinitive? And how can you avoid making this mistake in your writing?

What is a split infinitive?

An infinitive is the base form of a verb preceded by the word “to,” such as “to walk,” “to run,” or “to explore.” Splitting an infinitive involves placing an adverb or another word between “to” and the verb, as in “to boldly go” or “to quickly finish.”

For example, in the sentence “She wants to quickly run,” the word “quickly” splits the infinitive “to run.” It’s like putting something between the two parts of a verb phrase.

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So, why should we avoid split infinitives? Well, they can sometimes make sentences sound awkward or unclear. Instead of flowing smoothly, they can interrupt the natural rhythm of the sentence.

When not to split an infinitive

1. Preserving clarity: If splitting an infinitive risks confusing the reader or obscuring the meaning of the sentence, it’s best to avoid it:
   • Original: She attempted to quickly and quietly escape.
   • Corrected: She attempted to escape quickly and quietly.
2. Respecting formality: In formal writing, such as academic papers or professional correspondence, adhering to traditional grammar conventions may be preferred:
   • Original: The committee aims to fully and comprehensively investigate the matter.
   • Revised: The committee aims to investigate the matter fully and comprehensively.
3. Adhering to style guides: Some style guides or specific writing conventions may discourage split infinitives. When writing for a publication or following a particular style, it’s essential to adhere to their guidelines:
   • Original: He sought to boldly challenge the status quo.
   • Revised: He sought boldly to challenge the status quo.

However, there are indeed instances where certain phrases or constructions have a fixed structure that doesn’t allow for splitting an infinitive without losing coherence. Consider this example:

The company had intended to more than double its output that quarter.

It couldn’t be rewritten as “The company had intended more than to double its output” or as “The company had intended to double more than its output”—neither of those versions makes any sense.

Grammarly

The phrase “more than double” is a fixed expression, and splitting the infinitive would significantly change the meaning and render the sentence nonsensical. This illustrates that splitting infinitives can often provide flexibility and clarity in expression.

Natural rhythm and emphasis

Occasionally, despite the possibility of rewriting a sentence to prevent splitting an infinitive without obscuring its meaning, the outcome might sound awkward, unnatural, or as if the emphasis is misplaced. In such instances, it often makes more sense to split the infinitive rather than compromise the elegance of your language. Below are some sentences that would lose some of their naturalness or emphasis without their infinitives split. Attempt to rearrange them with the infinitive unsplit and assess if you concur.

1. She promised to never speak of it again. (Correct)
   • Splitting the infinitive: She promised never to speak of it again.
2. He attempted to carefully dismantle the bomb. (Correct)
   • Splitting the infinitive: He attempted carefully to dismantle the bomb.
3. They decided to completely renovate the old house. (Correct)
   • Splitting the infinitive: They decided completely to renovate the old house.
4. The teacher told him to quietly finish his work. (Correct)
   • Splitting the infinitive: The teacher told him quietly to finish his work.
5. She hoped to eventually find her lost keys. (Correct)
   • Splitting the infinitive: She hoped eventually to find her lost keys.

This is why despite the widespread belief that splitting an infinitive is grammatically incorrect, historical usage guides offer little support for this notion. Nowadays, most language experts concur that there’s no grammatical basis for objecting to split infinitives. Frequently, splitting an infinitive enhances clarity or elegance compared to not splitting it.

While the split infinitive has been a contentious issue in grammar circles, its usage is not inherently incorrect. Knowing when to split an infinitive depends on factors such as emphasis, clarity, and stylistic considerations. By understanding the principles behind split infinitives and weighing the context of usage, writers can wield this grammatical tool effectively to enhance their expression and communication.