Grammar
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Adverbs
Split Infinitives
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There is nothing wrong in splitting an infinitive ('He
is going to about make the grade') except that eighteenth- and
nineteenth-century grammarians, for one reason or another, frowned on it. And
most grammar teachers have been frowning ever since. |
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Theodore M. Bernstein |
There are cases where having split infinitives would produce
grammatically awkward sentences, but there are cases where split infinitives
are perfectly acceptable. Compare these sentences:
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I was supposed to go there as soon as possible. |
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I was supposed to as soon as possible go there.
(a case of split infinitives) |
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He was told to consider the job offer seriously. |
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He was told to seriously consider the job offer.
(a case of split infinitives) |
Hence, you have to exercise your discretion in using constructions
with split infinitives. |