The Split Infinitive

In �A Comprehensive Grammar of the English Language�, 2010, Randolph Quirk, et al, page 496 � 498, declare:

Quite strong stylistic objections are made to adverbials at (a Medial Position), when this position involves their being placed between �to� and the infinitive (the so-called �split infinitive� construction), as in

(1)  She ought to seriously consider her position.

(2)  For me to suddenly resign my job is unthinkable.

(3)  He wasn�t able to even move his fingers.

It should be noted that if the verb phrase is made perfective or if a modal not involving �to� is used in these examples, the adverbial remains immediately before the main verb.

(1a) She ought to have seriously considered her position.

(1b) She should seriously consider her position.

(2a) For me to have suddenly resigned �

(3a) He couldn�t even move his fingers.

Since the position of the adverbials in [1a � 3a] is perfectly acceptable and natural, it is easy to see why the closely parallel [1 � 3] should seem equally natural � however guiltily � despite generations of disapproval by teachers and stylists.

The writers go on to suggest that several other auxiliary sequences --- �used to�, �have to�, �have got to�, (�gotta�), �be going to�, (�gonna�) --- provide evidence that �to� is more closely linked to the preceding, rather than the following word.  They imply that these, and other constructions, encourage a split infinitive.

However, they warn:

Nonetheless, the widespread prejudice against split infinitives must not be underestimated, especially with respect to formal writing, and indeed there is no feature of usage on which critical native reaction more frequently focuses.  In consequence, it is by no means unusual to detect awkward and unidiomatic usage that clearly results from conscious avoidance.

The authors provide several examples of sentences which avoid the split infinitive, but which are awkward to say or read.  Sometimes, the sentence is ambiguous in meaning.  Sometimes it is virtually unintelligible.

They conclude the section on the �split infinitive� with a final comment.

NOTE

In a survey of English Usage text of circa 1980 involving four educated British adults, (three women and one man) in a professional psychiatric discussion lasting three-quarters of an hour, there were nineteen �split infinitives�.

            � to actually VERB �                               7x

            � to not VERB �                                       3x

            � to sort of VERB �                                  2x

            � to simply VERB �                                  1x

            � to openly VERB �                                  1x

            � to suddenly VERB �                              1x

            � to emotionally VERB �                         1x

            � to perhaps VERB �                                1x

            � to always VERB �                                  1x

            � to all VERB �                                          1x        [� � it�s going to all ruin things.�]

In my opinion, the majority of British people just say what seems �natural�, without worrying too much about �grammar�.  After all, the idea of communication is to pass a message from person A to person B, as clearly and as succinctly as possible.

We are not babies who respond to rules; we are not slaves who conform to commands; we are not robots who pander to pedants.

We are all individuals, and every one of us, in an individual way, makes a valuable contribution to the language of Society.

Les