Doing the splits - Miscellaneous matters

Booher's Rules of Business Grammar - Dianna Booher 2009

Doing the splits
Miscellaneous matters

SPLIT INFINITIVES

An infinitive is the technical term for to plus a verb (an action word—what something does, has, or is). Examples: to go, to eat, to report, to murder, to review, to seize, to manage, to be, to enjoy.

Typically, it’s taboo to tamper with these tidbits by putting words between the to and the action word if you can avoid it. Of course, if you have a good reason, such as to add emphasis, then go ahead and split the to from the verb. We’ll let you be the judge of what you write—but English teachers everywhere are watching.

To control this situation really, a supervisor must be at the plant site. (awkward)

Really to control this situation, a supervisor must be at the plant site. (better)

To really control this situation, a supervisor must be at the plant site. (adds emphasis)

That approach will help you to effectively give employee feedback. (unnecessary split—a no-no)

That approach will help you to give employee feedback effectively. (better)

Percival told me to periodically delay the project until our suppliers can catch up with shipments. (unnecessary split—a no-no)

Percival told me to delay the project periodically until our suppliers can catch up with shipments. (better)

When someone angrily yells, “Go to —,” you probably know the place they have in mind. But with infinitives, readers don’t necessarily know what’s to follow. Hence, the suspense. Generally, you should finish the action before you let other words interrupt.

Memory tip

As surely as two plus two equals four, to plus a verb equals one unit of thought. Don’t split it.