ESL Term:

Split Infinitive

ESL/EFL Glossary: A Guide to applied linguistics terminology.

 

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split infinitive: An infinitive is a verb of the form to do. It was considered improper to split the infinitive by placing an adverb in between the to and the verb, as in the following examples:

        To boldly go      To quickly eat      To fondly remember

If it is possible, it should be rearranged:

                To eat quickly            To remember fondly

However, in recent years, many authorities have relented on calling this improper.  Now, it is just bad style. But hey, if Kirk wants to boldly go somewhere, it's OK in my book.