Northern Illinois University
Effective Writing Practices Tutorial

Split infinitives are a specific type of misplaced modifier.

An infinitive is a verb preceded by the word to: (to write, to examine, to take, to cooperate). When an adverb appears between to and the verb itself, we get a split infinitive.

Correcting Split Infinitive Problems

To correct the above sentence, instantly should appear after the verb.

In formal writing, it is considered bad style to split an infinitive, but in more informal writing or in speech this has become more acceptable.

In speech, the word really is often placed between to and the verb:

Placing really after forget makes the second sentence sound awkward. Really is such a problematic word, it is best to avoid its use in writing and use a more specific adverb.

Some degree adverbs such as completely, entirely, unduly can also create awkward sentences when placed after the verb.

A better choice here would be to put the adverb completely at the very end of the sentence.

Sometimes avoiding the use of a split infinitive creates ambiguity. Consider the following examples:

In the second sentence, occasionally modifies the verb told and, in fact, alters the meaning of the sentence. However, placing occasionally at the end of the sentence creates ambiguity; does it modify the verb told now or the verb monitor?

The best position of the modifier occasionally is right after the verb monitor as in:

In formal writing, sentences in which there is more than one element in the infinitive phrase should be avoided:

Sometimes it may be necessary to rephrase the sentence to maintain the correct form and meaning:

Or

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