Why is it bad to split an infinitive?

Infinitives are the verb form that is preceded by “to.” To split an infinitive is considered a grammatical crime in many circles. Nonetheless, there is often no good reason not to split infinitives, and in some cases it can improve clarity, avoid weak language, or prevent writing from sounding overly formal.

Is to go boldly a split infinitive?

To boldly go is a split infinitive. Boldly splits to go. When you split an infinitive, you put something (usually an adverb) between the two parts: to diligently read.

Is to boldly go grammatically correct?

For a long time, split infinitives like “to boldly go” were considered improper—even though some usage experts questioned whether the infinitive was being split at all. There’s no logical reason for the rule, and most modern usage guides say it’s fine to split one in the interest of clarity.

What is wrong with the sentence to boldly go?

What are infinitive phrases?

An infinitive is a verbal consisting of the word to plus a verb; it may be used as a noun, adjective, or adverb. An infinitive phrase consists of an infinitive plus modifier(s), object(s), complement(s), and/or actor(s).

What are examples of split infinitives?

An infinitive consists of the word to and the simple form of a verb (e.g. to go and to read). “To suddenly go” and “to quickly read” are examples of split infinitives because the adverbs (suddenly and quickly) split (or break up) the infinitives to go and to read.

How do you use boldly go in a sentence?

To boldly go where no man has gone before This line reinvigorated the last-lasting debate over split infinitives. These are infinitives that have an adverb between ‘to’ and the verb. Those grammarians who still cared about this in the 1960s complained that ‘to boldly go’ should have been ‘to go boldly’.

Why is the split infinitive no longer a mistake?

To boldly go for it: why the split infinitive is no longer a mistake. It was the Victorians who decided that splitting an infinitive was a grammatical error. Highly logical, captain: Star Trek’s ‘to boldly go’ is the most famous example of the split infinitive. Name: The split infinitive.

Are split infinitives becoming more common in British speech?

Researchers at Lancaster University and Cambridge University Press have concluded that split infinitives are now nearly three times as common in British speech as they were in the early 1990s. How on earth can they tell?

What are split infinitives in Star Trek?

This introductory text was spoken at the beginning of many Star Trek television episodes and films, from 1966 onward: This line reinvigorated the last-lasting debate over split infinitives. These are infinitives that have an adverb between ‘to’ and the verb.