Split Infinitive

Infinitive verbs are made by putting “to” before the root word (e.g. to see, to do, to be). The “to” and the verb should not be separated by any words; when this happens, it’s called a “split infinitive”. Modifiers should generally be placed before the verb.



Incorrect: I wanted to very much see the new documentary on Iraq.

The infinitive verb, “to see”, has been separated by “very much”. The sentence could be written, “I wanted, very much, to see the new documentary on Iraq.”



Incorrect: The old woman instructed the teenagers to never set foot on her grass again.

The infinitive verb, “to set foot”, has been separated by “never”. The sentence could be written “The old woman instructed the teenagers never to set foot on her grass again.”

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