Dear All
This debate has been going on for a long time. For one answer, see AWE (page at http://slb-ltsu.hull.ac.uk/awe/index.php?title=Split_infinitive).
On one point of really annoying pedantry: Helen's original query gave examples (assignment titles/instructions) which were not of split infinitives: the clue is in the word 'instructions'. In ‘critically analyse’ and ‘critically appraise’, the adverb 'critically' is attached to imperative verbs. Both English and Latin verbs normally form imperatives as single words, and therefore it is not possible to split them (except, super-pedants might note, by tmesis - see http://slb-ltsu.hull.ac.uk/awe/index.php?title=Tmesis).
On another, it seems to have been John Dryden (1631–1700), rather than any Victorian, who first formulated the shibboleth against splitting the infinitive. It IS a shibboleth; but when some of our colleagues regard it as a golden rule, learners are well advised to avoid it.
Forgive any annoyance: season's greetings to one and all - and keep using AWE!
Peter
Peter Wilson,
Editor of AWE (the Academic Writing in [British] English website, www.hull.ac.uk/awe)
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From: learning development in higher education network [[log in to unmask]] on behalf of David Bowers [[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 04 December 2013 14:28
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Grammar pedantry
Hi all,
Just picking up Martin’s point….
Am I the only one who sees a subtle semantic difference in “choosing not to mention …” and “choosing to not mention …”?
David
From: learning development in higher education network [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Martin Hampton
Sent: 03 December 2013 10:59
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Grammar pedantry
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]<mailto:[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
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