Split Infinitives and Prescriptive Rules

Know the controversy around style rules.

Examples

• to boldly go

Key rules

• A split infinitive puts an adverb between to and the verb: to boldly go
• Traditional rules oppose it, but modern usage accepts it
• Avoid it if the sentence sounds awkward
• Other old rules: ending with a preposition, starting with and

Common mistakes

• Prefer to quickly leave → to leave quickly (formal)
• Where are you from? is fine, not From where are you?