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Hi Helena. Thanks for pointing about the 'to critically analyse' thing; I never thought to see the split infinitive in this and other similar instructional phrases! Experience tells me not to worry very much about split infinitives. I always try to come from the perspective of clarity, and normally choose not to mention (to not mention?) those of the more 'archaic' / flexible rules whose application wouldn't actually add anything to clarity. regards martin H. On 3 December 2013 10:53, Beeson Helena <[log in to unmask]>wrote: > Hi everyone, > > > > I saw a student last week who was concerned about his academic writing. > The only issue I saw was a few split infinitives which we talked through. > We then looked at his upcoming assignment briefs which were littered with > ‘critically analyse’, ‘critically appraise’ etc. > > > > I’m aware that split infinitives are used freely in spoken English, but > have we lost the battle where academic writing is concerned now? Is it time > for me to give up the campaign?! > > > > I’d be interested to hear your thoughts on this increasingly archaic rule. > I don’t know if my seemingly strict approach is linked to my bah humbug > attitude about the arrival of Christmas in the middle of November… > > > > To split or not to split? > > > > Thanks all, > > Helena > > > > > > > > Helena Beeson BA (Hons) MA MCLIP AHEA > > Academic Practice Tutor > > CfAP > > University of Northampton > > St George's Avenue > > Northampton > > NN2 6JD > > > > 01604 893340 > > > > *The University of Northampton joins the global Social Enterprise elite > and is the first Ashoka U 'Changemaker Campus' in the UK; recognised for > the excellence of our extensive social enterprise, innovation and > entrepreneurship provision. See more about this on our website > www.changemakercampus.org.uk <http://changemakercampus.org.uk>* > > * 96% of our graduates are in employment or further study six months after > completing their courses. See more about this on our website > www.northampton.ac.uk/about-us <http://www.northampton.ac.uk/about-us>* > > This e-mail is private and may be confidential and is for the intended > recipient only. If you are not the intended recipient you are strictly > prohibited from using, printing, copying, distributing or disseminating > this e-mail or any information contained in it. We virus scan all E-mails > leaving The University of Northampton but no warranty is given that this > E-mail and any attachments are virus free. You should undertake your own > virus checking. The right to monitor E-mail communications through our > networks is reserved by us. > -- Martin Hampton, BA (Hons), PGCE, FHEA Academic Skills (ASK) Nuffield Centre University of Portsmouth PO1 2ED UK W: www.port.ac.uk/ask E: [log in to unmask] T: 023 9284 3028