Is it okay to split infinitives in modern writing?
Is it okay to split infinitives?
Yes, it is perfectly acceptable to split infinitives in modern English. While older style guides followed a rigid rule against placing adverbs between 'to' and a verb, contemporary academic standards prioritize clarity and natural flow. You should split an infinitive if avoiding it results in a formal sentence that sounds awkward or changes the intended meaning.
Split vs. unsplit infinitives
| Dimension | Split Infinitive | Unsplit Infinitive |
|---|---|---|
| Goal | Emphasis and clarity | Formal precision |
| Tone | Natural and modern | Traditional and stiff |
| Rule Origin | English-specific usage | Latin-based imitation |
| Placement | Adverb between 'to' and verb | Adverb before or after phrase |
| Risk | Minor disapproval from traditionalists | Awkwardness or ambiguity |
| Best Use | When the adverb modifies only the verb | When the sentence remains fluid |
Understanding the split infinitive
An infinitive is the base form of a verb preceded by the word 'to,' such as 'to study,' 'to explain,' or 'to analyze.' A split infinitive occurs when you insert a word (usually an adverb) directly between these two parts. For example, in the phrase 'to diligently study,' the adverb 'diligently' splits the infinitive 'to study.' For decades, students were taught this was a major error, but this rule was based on Latin grammar rather than how English actually functions. In modern essays, the priority is ensuring the reader understands which word the adverb is modifying.
Examples in academic writing
### Example 1: Improving Clarity * **Split:** The government needs **to substantially increase** funding for public schools. * **Unsplit:** The government needs **substantially to increase** funding for public schools. * **Annotation:** The split version is clearer. In the unsplit version, 'substantially' sounds awkward and detached from the verb it modifies. ### Example 2: Avoiding Ambiguity * **Split:** The researcher expected the results **to more than double**. * **Unsplit:** The researcher expected the results **to double more than**. * **Annotation:** Moving the modifier to the end changes the meaning or makes the sentence incomplete. Splitting the infinitive preserves the specific mathematical intent.
When to split and when to avoid
Follow these practical guidelines to decide whether to split your infinitives:
- Use a split infinitive if the alternative sounds 'stuffy' or overly formal.
- Split the infinitive if placing the adverb elsewhere creates 'squinting modifiers,' where it is unclear which word the adverb describes.
- Avoid splitting the infinitive if you are using multiple adverbs, as this can make the sentence wordy and difficult to follow.
- If writing for a very traditional professor who specifically dislikes split infinitives, default to the unsplit version only if it does not sacrifice clarity.
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