Split Infinitives
It’s important that we, as writers, know the tools of our trade. Part of our job is to understand the mechanics of language and grammar. Yet many writers find themselves asking…
What are Split Infinitives?
It’s a term that grammarians and linguists throw around a lot and although split infinitives are not as essential to language as nouns and verbs, it does help us better understand sentence structure.
According to Wikipedia:
A split infinitive or cleft infinitive is an English-language grammatical construction in which a word or phrase, usually an adverb or adverbial phrase, comes between the marker to and the bare infinitive (uninflected) form of a verb.
So, what’s an infinitive? What’s a bare infinitive? Understanding these terms will help us figure out what split infinitives are.
An infinitive, or bare infinitive is a simple form of a verb. Examples include write, go, talk, sit, and understand.
When a participle, such as to, appears before an infinitive, it is then referred to as a full infinitive. Examples include to write, to go, to talk, to sit, and to understand.
So how do we get split infinitives?
Infinitives become split infinitives when another word is inserted between the participle (also called a marker) and the bare infinitive.
I want to really understand English grammar.
As mentioned previously, split infinitives are usually caused by adverbs or adverbial phrases. In the sentence above, the verb understand and its marker to are split by the adverb really.
That’s simple enough. So, what’s the fuss?
As split infinitives became more popular in the 19th century, some grammatical authorities sought to introduce a prescriptive rule against it. The construction is still the subject of disagreement among native English speakers as to whether it is grammatically correct or good style. Henry Fowler wrote in 1926, “No other grammatical issue has so divided English speakers since the split infinitive was declared to be a solecism in the 19c: raise the subject of English usage in any conversation today and it is sure to be mentioned.”
Today, however, most linguists agree that split infinitives are perfectly acceptable.
Wikipedia also points out that one of the most famous of all split infinitives occurs in the opening sequence of Star Trek: “…to boldly go where no man has gone before.” If you can find the participle (marker), the bare infinitive (simple form of the verb), and the adverb (which is causing the split) in that sentence, then you’re up to speed on split infinitives.
Now you know all about split infinitives. You know:
- What split infinitives are
- How to identify split infinitives
- Split infinitives are perfectly acceptable
Now you can go forth and split those infinitives!
Do you better understand split infinitives? Have anything to add? Got grammar questions? Share your thoughts by leaving a comment.
YAY! I get it! I’m glad to know it’s considered “perfectly acceptable” since I’m sure I use split infinitives all the time. *chuckles* Not in that sentence right there though. Spot the full infinitive.
Grammar has always been a chink in my armor. I love the way you break it down into something easy to understand.
Nicely done, Melissa! My head hurts, but I got everything you said!
to = participle
boldly = splitting adverb
go = bare infinitive
Thanks for the refresher! I still credit School House Rock for teaching me the basics of grammar–or at the very least, the parts of speech.
Great article! I am definitely a huge fan of your blog. “Fan grrl?” Yes! ;D Too bad there’s no real equivalent for “fan boie.” Heh-heh.
I split infinitives in conversation like a chef wielding a sushi knife on a cucumber. (Good God, that’s a terrible simile!) However in writing I get all prissy and avoid splitting as though it were a grammar felony. It’s certainly good to know the split infinitive is considered perfectly acceptable. Wow.
Essie
The rule against split infinitives is, in my opinion, linguistic superstition. Even “to boldly go” does not clash with my feeling for good English. And “to really understand” is pleasurable! Regards, Kevin. []
Thanks Kevin – I wholeheartedly agree. Knowing when to use a split infinitive and when to refrain is really a matter of how it sounds. Sometimes it sounds right to split the infinitive but there are times it doesn’t work. Luckily, it’s not a hard and fast rule so it’s left completely up to the writer to determine whether to use a split infinitive or not.