Split Infinitives
A split infinitive is a specific type of split infinitive. An infinitive is a verb such as to preceded by the word (to think, to complain, to admire, to purchase). When an adverb is placed in the middle of the infinitive and the word, a split infinitive occurs.
Examples:
- Split Infinitive: The researcher was to instantly purchase the materials.
- Correct: The researcher was to purchase the materials instantly.
- Split infinitive: Students worked to really try to spread the message.
- Correct: Students worked hard to spread the message.
- Avoid using the word “really” in formal writing.
- Ambiguity: Make sure by avoiding a split infinitive you aren’t creating a sentence that is ambiguous.
- Split Infinitive: The students were told to occasionally monitor their grades online.
- Awkward sentence: The students were told to monitor their grades online occasionally.
- What does “occasionally” refer to in this case? Their grades or monitor? It’s unclear the way it’s written.
- Correct: The students were told occasionally to monitor their grades online.
