Split infinitives occur in English when a word or phrase is inserted between the to and the bare infinitive of the verb. The word will usually be an adverb or adverbial phrase.

Some people believe that it is grammatically wrong to split an infinitive, a belief based on comparisons with Latin. Some English language teachers still teach their students to avoid using split infinitives, but are they correct? How do native speakers deal with this in everyday English?

SPLIT INFINITIVES

WHAT IS A SPLIT INFINITIVE?

A split infinitive is when the to and the bare infinitive verb have an adverb inserted between them. For example:

I have to really watch the match tonight.

The adverb really has been inserted between to and watch which, according to some, is incorrect grammar. Some grammatists would state that you should put the adverb before the to infinitive as in:

You really have to watch the match tonight

Another split infinitive example might be:

My new bag  allows me to easily carry a lot of shopping

Without splitting the infinitive it becomes:

My new bag allows me to carry a lot of shopping easily

GRAMMATICAL ORIGINS OF THE SPLIT INFINITIVE 

English doesn’t have a a central body to protect or provide rules for usage unlike some other languages such as French and Spanish. This allows the language to adapt and evolve rapidly and this is possibly one of the many reasons it has become such an important language today.

However, in the 19th century, some grammatical authorities sought to introduce rules on English grammar and to standardise them. They decided to base the rules on Latin which unfortunately, was not the ideal language to use as the structure is different to the English language which is based on Anglo-Saxon, rather than Latin, structures.

Therefore, these grammarians prescribed that English infinitives should never be split just because they are not split in Latin. Which is impossible of course as Latin doesn’t have to infinitives!

The construction is still the subject of some disagreement, although modern English usage guides have mainly dropped the rule. You can, however, still see the rule proscribed in some English Grammar books and language courses.

 WHAT DO NATIVE SPEAKERS DO?

These days most native speakers ignore the rule of not splitting the infinitive, especially in spoken English. It is still evident in written English at times as it appears more formal. Even here it’s not considered necessary by most people.

Unfortunately for those who advocate not splitting infinitives, moving the adverb to a different position often changes the meaning of the sentence.

SHOULD YOU SPLIT INFINITIVES?

These days most people will split the infinitive when it provides the best meaning. For example: food prices are expected to gradually reduce sound better and provides a clearer meaning than if gradually were to be placed before or after to reduce. Another example would be: I’m going to more than double my efforts which would make no sense with more than in any other position apart from between to and double.

THE TRUTH ABOUT SPLIT INFINITIVES

In reality sentences using to infinitives often sound better when the adverb is placed before or after the to infinitive.  Moving the adverb to the end of a sentence and leaving the to infinitive together is often the best option, especially in writing.

Avoid over-use of split infinitives but use them if you feel it provides the best option for what you want to say.

It’s just a question of feeling what is best. After all, if William Shakespeare had no problems splitting infinitives then who are we to disagree?

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