split infinitive

/'splitin'finitiv/

Thân thiện

A student writes a sentence with a split infinitive on the chalkboard.

Definition

Noun: - A grammatical construction in which an adverb or other word is placed between "to" and the base form of a verb: This creates a structure like "to + adverb + verb," which has been a traditional point of grammatical controversy in English usage.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • "To boldly go where no one has gone before" is a famous split infinitive from Star Trek.
  • Some grammarians still advise against using a split infinitive, while others consider it acceptable.
  • The sentence "She decided to quickly leave" contains a split infinitive.

Advanced Usage

• Stylistic Choice: In modern English, splitting an infinitive is often considered a valid stylistic choice, especially when it improves clarity or avoids awkward phrasing.
  • Compare: "He promised to really try" (split) vs. the potentially awkward "He promised really to try."
• Avoiding Ambiguity: Sometimes, a split infinitive is the clearest way to express an idea.
  • "We expect to more than double our profits" is clearer than alternatives like "We expect more than to double our profits."

Variants and Related Words

• Infinitive (n): The basic form of a verb, usually preceded by "to" (e.g., ).
• Unsplittable Infinitive: A term sometimes used humorously or prescriptively to refer to the traditional rule against splitting.

Synonyms

• Separated infinitive: A less common synonym for split infinitive.

Related Phrases and Concepts

• "To" + Adverb + Verb Construction: The descriptive phrase for the structure of a split infinitive.
• Grammar Prescriptivism vs. Descriptivism: The debate over split infinitives is a classic example of prescriptive grammar rules (stating how language be used) versus descriptive analysis (describing how language is used by native speakers).

Học thuật

Noun

1. an infinitive with an adverb between `to' and the verb (e.g., `to boldly go')