The Split Infinitive
In its progress towards its contemporary status, the long infinitive acquired a peculiar characteristic , namely the possibility of inserting certain adverbs between the particle to and the verb. The construction is a relatively new one , but it is found as far back as in the writings of Philip Sidney , Thomas Browne , John Donne. Although rejected by some grammarians today , this “split infinitive” has gained currency.
For a long time , the grammarians have not recommended the use of such an infinitive. B 212j92c ut , nowadays , every time we place an adverb front or after the infinitive it would be difficult to understand the meaning of the sentence , so we can use Split Infinitive . Reading an example from Fowler Ilis says that in a sentence such as “…..he came to study personally the situation”(a venit sa studieze personal situatia) the adverb is placed between the verb and the direct object and this way one breaks a fundamental principle of word order. If we say “He came personally to study the situation” , the adverb “personally” refers to the verb “came” and the meaning of the sentence will be different. If we place it at the end of the sentence , it will be emphasized. It is indicated to place it between “to” and the “infinitive” form.
He came to personally study the situation.
(A venit personal sa sudieze situatia)
Evans warmly advocates the use of split infinitives , adding that “any number of words may stand between “to” and the verb form” , but he warns against exaggeration. At the same time he analyses the position of the adverb within a compound infinitive.
“In a composite infinitive involving the auxiliary “be” or “have” and a participle the normal position for the adverb is after the auxiliary and not before it”. That is ,“to have always thought” is the normal word order and “to always have thought” is a variation that adds special emphasis.
Whitten and Whitaker recommend a number of split infinitives , of which:
to clearly understand – a intelege clar
to fully realize - a-si da pe deplin seama
to flatly refuse - a refuza categoric
to fully appreciate - a aprecia intru totul
to thankfully receive - a primi cu recunostinta
to cautiously require - a se interesa cu prudenta
to quietly await - a astepta linistit
to to cordially greet - a intampina cordial
to wholly agree - a fi intru totul de accord
to gladly consent - a consimti bucuros
to wildfully offend - a jigni cu buna stiinta
to again meet - a (se) intalni din nou
to quickly restore - a restabili fara intarziere
to stoutly restore - a restabili fara intarziere
to definitely defend - a apara din toate puterile
to promptly reply - a raspunde prompt
to definitely assert – a afirma categoric
The split infinitive is often for the sake of clarity. It used to be considered bad “ style to split an infinitive , but there is now a more relaxed attitude to this. “Really” is often placed after the “to” in colloquial English :
“ It would take ages to really master this subject “ instead of
“really to master “ which sounds rather formal.
Some other degree adverbs such as “completely , entirely , (un)duly” can be treated similarly. So , we can say :
(a) to completely cover the floor instead of
(b) to cover the floor completely
(a) to unduly alarm people instead of
(b) to alarm people unduly
But it is safer to keep to the conventional order , as in (b) above.[2]
Other adverbs , those of frequency , are placed before the infinitive :
He had gone away never to return – please pentru a nu se mai
The example “He asked me kindly to forward the parcel” is wrong because:
a) it is ambiguous , “kindly” both determining the verb “asked” as well as the infinitive “to forward”
b) the adverb “kindly” separates the verb “asked” from the direct object (“to forward the parcel”). The correct sentence is :
He asked me to kindly forward the parcel.
The Split Infinitive is very frequently used in American English and British English ,being used by one of the best writers , beginning with Byron , also called “father of split infinitive”. Robert Browning and others appreciated his possibilities of a clearer and better way of expression or even more interesting that of breaking the grammatical rules. Other examples of split infinitive :
My father had power to greatly influence my opinion.
(Tatal meu avea puterea sa-mi influenteze opinia)
It is foolish to even think of this solution.
(Este o prostie chiar sa te gandesti la aceasta solutie)
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