Split Infinitive

An infinitive is a verbal that consist of the preposition to and a verb.

to escape
to ask

Blackbeard helped him to escape.
Violet decided to ask for a raise.

An infinitive is split when a modifier, such as an adverb comes in between the to and the verb.

Blackbeard helped him to quickly escape.
Violet decided to bravely ask for a raise.

Traditional view: Do not split the infinitive.

Modern view: There’s no harm in spliting an infinitive as long as you don't go overboard with more than two words.

No harm: Violet decided to bravely ask for a raise.
Overboard: Violet decided to for the first time ever and without even blinking ask for a raise.

These examples are from Patricia T. O'Connor's Woe Is I.

Practice

Rewrite the sentences to avoid split infinitives.

1. Darla helped Jake to thoroughly study for the test.
2. The weather service expected temperatures to not rise.
3. The girls loved to daily sun beside the pool.
4. We promise to run quickly to the store and back.
5. The rain began to heavily pour from the sky.