split infinitive
1 of 1noun/splɪt ɪnˈfɪnɪtɪv/
Forms:split infinitives
1
a construction in which an adverb or adverbial phrase is placed between the particle "to" and the base form of a verb
- "To carefully consider the options" is an example of a split infinitive.
- The sentence "She promised to always love him" contains a split infinitive, with "always" interrupting "to love."
- Some grammarians argue that split infinitives should be avoided, though they are commonly used in modern English.
- While some people dislike split infinitives, they can sometimes make sentences sound more natural.
- The split infinitive "to quickly finish the project" places emphasis on the speed of completing the task.