LPP 12

Split infinitives (most of the time)

In English, we don't really have a separate form for the infinitive form of a verb; we mostly just slap "to" on the front of it, e.g. to run, to hide, to pet an adorable kitten. In general, you see, we keep the "to" with the word it belongs to. Problems arise, however, when people start throwing in adverbs, and the feel that the adverb should be the closest to the verb, not the lowly "to." Which isn't the case. "To" is always really good friends with his verb, and the verb is greatly distressed when they become separated by an errant adverb. "I advise you to always keep infinitives un-split" sounds yucky and weird; instead, say "I advise you always to keep infinitives un-split." Much better. And it sounds kinda cool, kinda fancy.

Sometimes a split infinitive is ok (very very rarely). For instance, "To boldly go" etc. Because some of us have heard that phrase all our lives, and anyway perhaps in the future standards are looser. But they're not looser yet! So think before you split!