Is It OK to Split Infinitives?
Yes, splitting infinitives is grammatically acceptable in modern English. 'To boldly go' is perfectly correct despite placing 'boldly' between 'to' and 'go.' The rule against splitting infinitives was invented in the 1800s by grammarians who wanted English to mimic Latin (where infinitives cannot be split). Most style guides now accept split infinitives.
Key Takeaways
- An infinitive is the base form of a verb with 'to' (to run, to eat, to write).
- Some formal or conservative contexts may still prefer unsplit infinitives.
- Multiple adverbs between 'to' and the verb ('to always completely understand') can be awkward.
Explanation
An infinitive is the base form of a verb with 'to' (to run, to eat, to write). A split infinitive places a word (usually an adverb) between 'to' and the verb: 'to really understand' or 'to carefully examine.' This construction has been used in English for centuries and is natural to native speakers.
The 'rule' against splitting infinitives emerged in the 19th century when grammarians tried to impose Latin grammar onto English. In Latin, infinitives are single words and cannot be split. But English is not Latin, and applying Latin rules to English creates artificial restrictions.
Today, major style guides (Chicago Manual of Style, AP Stylebook, Fowler's Modern English Usage) acknowledge that split infinitives are acceptable, especially when they sound more natural or clearer. 'To boldly go' sounds better than 'to go boldly' or 'boldly to go.' Avoiding splits can sometimes create awkward sentences.
Things to Know
- Some formal or conservative contexts may still prefer unsplit infinitives.
- Multiple adverbs between 'to' and the verb ('to always completely understand') can be awkward.
- The Star Trek phrase 'to boldly go where no man has gone before' is a famous split infinitive.