A split infinitive occurs when the particle 'to' is separated, usually by an adverb, from the verb itself, as in to really believe. It has been a feature of English for centuries, and the superstition that it is necessarily incorrect or poor style arose in the mid-19c when attitudes to grammar were influenced by Classical models, especially Latin. The term 'split infinitive' is not found before the late 19c.

There are occasions when a split infinitive seems clumsy, and then on stylistic grounds it is best to avoid it, eg • She went quickly to her room to hurriedly get her hairdrier into action might be better put in the form • She went quickly to her room and hurriedly got her hairdrier into action. In other cases, the close connection of adverb and verb requires them to come close together • He raised his other hand to gently caress her soft shoulders • He was never one to idly beat about the bush.

Some modifying words like only and really have to come between to and the verb in order to achieve the right meaning, eg • Part of a personnel officer's job is to really get to know all the staff • You've done enough to more than make up for it.

RECOMMENDATION: it is acceptable to use a split infinitive when the rhythm and meaning of the sentence call for it. Avoid the split infinitive if it is awkward, or rephrase the sentence. It is prudent to avoid the split infinitive when speaking or writing to prescriptively minded people.

A split infinitive occurs when the particle 'to' is separated, usually by an adverb, from the verb itself, as in to really believe. It has been a feature of English for centuries, and the superstition that it is necessarily incorrect or poor style arose in the mid-19c when attitudes to grammar were influenced by Classical models, especially Latin. The term 'split infinitive' is not found before the late 19c.

There are occasions when a split infinitive seems clumsy, and then on stylistic grounds it is best to avoid it, eg • She went quickly to her room to hurriedly get her hairdrier into action might be better put in the form • She went quickly to her room and hurriedly got her hairdrier into action. In other cases, the close connection of adverb and verb requires them to come close together • He raised his other hand to gently caress her soft shoulders • He was never one to idly beat about the bush.

Some modifying words like only and really have to come between to and the verb in order to achieve the right meaning, eg • Part of a personnel officer's job is to really get to know all the staff • You've done enough to more than make up for it.

RECOMMENDATION: it is acceptable to use a split infinitive when the rhythm and meaning of the sentence call for it. Avoid the split infinitive if it is awkward, or rephrase the sentence. It is prudent to avoid the split infinitive when speaking or writing to prescriptively minded people.

A split infinitive occurs when the particle 'to' is separated, usually by an adverb, from the verb itself, as in to really believe. It has been a feature of English for centuries, and the superstition that it is necessarily incorrect or poor style arose in the mid-19c when attitudes to grammar were influenced by Classical models, especially Latin. The term 'split infinitive' is not found before the late 19c.

There are occasions when a split infinitive seems clumsy, and then on stylistic grounds it is best to avoid it, eg • She went quickly to her room to hurriedly get her hairdrier into action might be better put in the form • She went quickly to her room and hurriedly got her hairdrier into action. In other cases, the close connection of adverb and verb requires them to come close together • He raised his other hand to gently caress her soft shoulders • He was never one to idly beat about the bush.

Some modifying words like only and really have to come between to and the verb in order to achieve the right meaning, eg • Part of a personnel officer's job is to really get to know all the staff • You've done enough to more than make up for it.

RECOMMENDATION: it is acceptable to use a split infinitive when the rhythm and meaning of the sentence call for it. Avoid the split infinitive if it is awkward, or rephrase the sentence. It is prudent to avoid the split infinitive when speaking or writing to prescriptively minded people.