Try to Avoid Splitting Infinitives
Inserting an adverb between to and the verb, called splitting the infinitive,
often results in awkward or confusing sentences. It frequently weakens
your writing, although there are certain circumstances, discussed
below, where it’s an appropriate alternative.
For example, consider the sentence He must strive to even meet the
extended deadline. The sentence is not only awkward in construction,
it’s unclear as well. Is he having trouble meeting the deadline or is the
deadline unrealistic? Isn’t it stronger and clearer to write He must strive
to meet even the extended deadline?
Instead of She always tries to cautiously examine antiques, it’s better
to write She always tries to examine antiques cautiously.
Follow these steps to determine whether to split an infinitive:
1. Try putting the adverb after the infinitive. This approach is almost
always the most effective strategy. In the two examples above, notice that
putting the adverb after the infinitive improves the sentences.
2. If putting the adverb after the infinitive doesn’t work, try putting it
just before the infinitive.
Consider this sentence, for example: I want you to personally review
the project due to be completed in March. To avoid splitting the infinitive,
try moving the adverb personally after the infinitive. Here are two alternatives:
I want you to review the project due to be completed in March
personally. Or, I want you to review personally the project due to be completed
in March. Both sentences are grammatical but awkward and
unclear. Putting the adverb personally after the infinitive doesn’t help.
Now try putting the adverb before the infinitive. In this example, the
sentence would read: I want you personally to review the project due to
be completed in March.
Positioning the adverb as indicated above, just before the infinitive,
ensures that the meaning is clear and the sentence is constructed grammatically.
3. If putting the adverb before the infinitive still doesn’t work, you may
split the infinitive.
Consider this example: You ought to evaluate the university’s report to
manage our technology needs methodically. Or, You ought to evaluate
Try to Avoid Splitting Infinitives
Inserting an adverb between to and the verb, called splitting the infinitive,
often results in awkward or confusing sentences. It frequently weakens
your writing, although there are certain circumstances, discussed
below, where it’s an appropriate alternative.
For example, consider the sentence He must strive to even meet the
extended deadline. The sentence is not only awkward in construction,
it’s unclear as well. Is he having trouble meeting the deadline or is the
deadline unrealistic? Isn’t it stronger and clearer to write He must strive
to meet even the extended deadline?
Instead of She always tries to cautiously examine antiques, it’s better
to write She always tries to examine antiques cautiously.
Follow these steps to determine whether to split an infinitive:
1. Try putting the adverb after the infinitive. This approach is almost
always the most effective strategy. In the two examples above, notice that
putting the adverb after the infinitive improves the sentences.
2. If putting the adverb after the infinitive doesn’t work, try putting it
just before the infinitive.
Consider this sentence, for example: I want you to personally review
the project due to be completed in March. To avoid splitting the infinitive,
try moving the adverb personally after the infinitive. Here are two alternatives:
I want you to review the project due to be completed in March
personally. Or, I want you to review personally the project due to be completed
in March. Both sentences are grammatical but awkward and
unclear. Putting the adverb personally after the infinitive doesn’t help.
Now try putting the adverb before the infinitive. In this example, the
sentence would read: I want you personally to review the project due to
be completed in March.
Positioning the adverb as indicated above, just before the infinitive,
ensures that the meaning is clear and the sentence is constructed grammatically.
3. If putting the adverb before the infinitive still doesn’t work, you may
split the infinitive.
Consider this example: You ought to evaluate the university’s report to
manage our technology needs methodically. Or, You ought to evaluate
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