Where Is a Split Infinitive?

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.

How do you find a split infinitive?

To split an infinitive is to put a word or words between the infinitive marker—the word to—and the root verb that follows it. A common example is the Star Trek phrase “to boldly go.” Here, the infinitive to go is split by the adverb boldly.

What is an example of a split infinitive?

A split infinitive occurs when there's an adverb between two parts of an infinitive. ... “To suddenly go” and “to quickly read” are examples of split infinitives because the adverbs (suddenly and quickly) split (or break up) the infinitives to go and to read.