What is a Split Infinitive?

In English, an infinitive is the base form of a verb with the word “to” in front of it, like “to run,” “to read,” or “to sing.” A split infinitive happens when another word, usually an adverb, is placed between “to” and the verb. For example:

• Split infinitive: “She decided to quickly leave.”
• Unsplit infinitive: “She decided to leave quickly.”

Splitting infinitives is often fine in modern English. However, in formal or traditional writing, some prefer to keep the “to” and the verb together.

Why Avoid Split Infinitives?

The preference for avoiding split infinitives dates back to traditional grammar rules based on Latin, where infinitives are a single word (and therefore unsplittable). Though this rule is less strict in contemporary English, many people feel unsplit infinitives sound more polished, especially in formal writing.

How to Avoid Split Infinitives

If you want to avoid split infinitives, here are a few simple strategies:

1. Move the Adverb After the Verb

In many cases, you can simply move the adverb after the verb without changing the meaning:

• Split infinitive: “She hoped to thoroughly understand the concept.”
• Revised: “She hoped to understand the concept thoroughly.”

2. Place the Adverb Before “To”

Another option is to place the adverb before “to,” which often preserves the meaning:

• Split infinitive: “He wanted to fully complete the project.”
• Revised: “He wanted fully to complete the project.”

This can feel a little formal but is still grammatically correct.

3. Rewrite the Sentence

Sometimes, rephrasing the sentence is the easiest way to avoid a split infinitive while keeping it clear and formal:

• Split infinitive: “They tried to completely ignore the noise.”
• Revised: “They tried to ignore the noise completely.”

Practice Exercise

Let’s practice! Rewrite these sentences to avoid split infinitives:

1. She needs to carefully analyze the data.
2. He plans to boldly present his findings.
3. They hope to quickly resolve the issue.

Answers:

1. She needs to analyze the data carefully.
2. He plans to present his findings boldly.
3. They hope to resolve the issue quickly.