Writers Should Avoid Splitting An Infinitive When

Writers Should Avoid Splitting an Infinitive When… It Makes the Sentence Sound Awkward

The age-old debate: to split or not to split the infinitive. Grammar purists will often declare that splitting infinitives – placing an adverb between "to" and the verb – is a grammatical sin. However, the reality is far more nuanced. While there are times when splitting an infinitive improves clarity and flow, there are also instances where it weakens the sentence. This article delves into the complexities of infinitive splitting, providing guidance on when to avoid it and why. We'll explore the historical context, the grammatical rules (or lack thereof), and offer practical examples to illustrate best practices.

The Historical Roots of the Infinitive Splitting Debate

The aversion to split infinitives stems largely from a misguided application of Latin grammatical rules to English. Latin infinitives are single words, making splitting impossible. However, English is a vastly different language with a flexible and evolving structure. The "rule" against splitting infinitives emerged in the 19th century, largely due to the influence of grammarians who sought to impose a rigid, Latin-based structure on the English language. This artificial constraint has persisted, despite its lack of logical basis in modern English grammar.

When Splitting Infinitives Is Perfectly Acceptable (and Even Preferred)

The truth is, splitting an infinitive is often the most natural and effective way to express a thought in English. The key is to prioritize clarity and readability. Consider these scenarios:

1. Improving Clarity and Emphasis

Sometimes, placing an adverb between "to" and the verb clarifies the intended meaning and emphasizes the adverb's importance. Consider these examples:

• Incorrect (and awkward): "To quickly run" suggests a speedy manner of running.
• Correct (and clear): "To run quickly" maintains the intended meaning while sounding natural.

In the first example, the placement of "quickly" creates a slightly unnatural pause. The second example provides smoother reading.

• Incorrect (and unclear): "He tried to completely understand the complex concept" - it leaves the reader wondering, what was completely, the action of trying or the understanding?
• Correct (and clear): "He tried to completely understand the complex concept" – this still splits the infinitive, but because the adverb's meaning is applied to the understanding of the concept, this is acceptable. The improved clarity is the determining factor here.
• More correct: "He tried to understand the complex concept completely" – if you must avoid splitting the infinitive, this is the way to do so without sacrificing clarity.

2. Avoiding Awkward Sentence Structure

Forcing yourself to avoid splitting an infinitive can sometimes lead to ungainly and awkward sentence structures. Prioritizing natural word order and flow is crucial for effective writing.

• Awkward: "He decided to, after careful consideration, invest in the project."
• Natural: "He decided to invest in the project after careful consideration."

The split infinitive version is far more readable and less jarring. The adverbial phrase "after careful consideration" fits more naturally within the flow of the sentence when placed after the verb.

3. Maintaining Parallelism

When constructing sentences with parallel structures, splitting infinitives can help maintain consistency and readability.

• Awkward: "She wanted to carefully plan the event and to promptly execute it."
• Natural: "She wanted to carefully plan the event and to promptly execute it." (Both are split infinitives. Maintaining parallel structure justifies the split)

When to Avoid Splitting an Infinitives

While splitting infinitives is often acceptable, there are situations where it's best to avoid it. These typically involve cases where the split creates ambiguity or detracts from the sentence's overall effectiveness.

1. Creating Ambiguity

In rare cases, splitting an infinitive can create ambiguity. This usually happens when the adverb could modify either the "to" or the verb.

• Ambiguous: "To boldly go where no one has gone before" – does "boldly" modify "go" or the entire infinitive phrase?

Although this is a famous example, the ambiguity here isn't too jarring.

2. Unnecessary Wordiness

While splitting the infinitive can clarify meaning in some cases, it can also lead to unnecessary wordiness in others. If the adverb can easily be moved elsewhere without losing the intended meaning, it's generally preferred to do so.

• Wordy: "He decided to quickly and efficiently complete the task."
• Concise: "He decided to complete the task quickly and efficiently."

The second version is more concise and maintains the same meaning.

3. Formal Writing Styles

In highly formal writing, such as academic papers or legal documents, adhering to traditional grammatical conventions is often preferred, even if it involves avoiding split infinitives. This is more a matter of adhering to stylistic expectations rather than strict grammatical rules.

Analyzing Examples and Making Informed Decisions

Let's analyze some examples to illustrate how to make informed decisions about whether to split an infinitive:

Example 1:

• Sentence: "I need to thoroughly research the topic before writing my paper."

Analysis: Splitting the infinitive in this case enhances clarity and doesn't create any awkwardness. The adverb "thoroughly" modifies the verb "research" and it's natural placement here.

Example 2:

• Sentence: "She tried to really understand the complex equation."

Analysis: Again, splitting the infinitive makes perfect sense. Moving "really" to the end would sound unnatural.

Example 3:

• Sentence: "He hoped to immediately begin his journey after the ceremony."

Analysis: While splitting the infinitive is possible here, moving "immediately" to the end ("He hoped to begin his journey immediately after the ceremony.") flows more naturally without sacrificing clarity.

The Bottom Line: Prioritize Clarity and Natural Flow

The debate surrounding split infinitives highlights the tension between prescribed grammatical rules and the natural flow of language. The ultimate goal in writing is to communicate effectively. While adhering to grammar rules is important, it's far more important to ensure your writing is clear, concise, and engaging.

When deciding whether to split an infinitive, prioritize clarity and natural flow. If splitting the infinitive enhances the readability and doesn’t create ambiguity or awkwardness, then do it. If it does, then avoid it. Focus on crafting sentences that are easily understood and sound natural, not on adhering to an outdated and often unnecessary rule. The best writers make grammar choices to serve their writing and their readers, not the other way around. Remember, the goal is clear communication. Adherence to an arbitrary rule should never come at the expense of that goal.