split infinitive Definition

1. grammar.
An infinitive that has an adverb or other word coming in between the particle to and the verb, as in to really believe, to boldly go, etc.

○ A split infinitive occurs when the particle ‘to' is separated, usually by an adverb, from the verb itself, as in to really believe. It has been a feature of English for centuries, and the superstition that it is necessarily incorrect or poor style arose in the mid-19c when attitudes to grammar were influenced by Classical models, especially Latin. The term ‘split infinitive' is not found before the late 19c.

○ There are occasions when a split infinitive seems clumsy, and then on stylistic grounds it is best to avoid it, eg &wbox; might be better put in the form &wbox; In other cases, the close connection of adverb and verb requires them to come close together &wbox; &wbox;

○ Some modifying words like only and really have to come between to and the verb in order to achieve the right meaning, eg &wbox; &wbox;