Have you ever heard of a split infinitive? It's a grammatical term that refers to a construction where an adverb is placed between the two parts of an infinitive - "to" and the verb. For example, "to boldly go" instead of "to go boldly." While split infinitives are generally frowned upon in formal writing, they have been used by famous writers and speakers throughout history. Let's take a look at some of the most famous examples of split infinitives.
1. "To boldly go where no man has gone before"
Perhaps the most famous example of a split infinitive is from the opening monologue of the original Star Trek television series. Captain Kirk declares that the mission of the starship Enterprise is "to boldly go where no man has gone before." The phrase has become a cultural touchstone, and the split infinitive is often cited as an example of how language can evolve and change over time.
2. "I cannot help but admire"
Another famous split infinitive comes from the writer and theologian C.S. Lewis. In his book Mere Christianity, Lewis writes, "I cannot help but admire a man who can spell a word only one way." The use of the split infinitive adds emphasis to the sentence and gives it a more conversational tone.
3. "To really love a woman"
The musician Bryan Adams also used a split infinitive in his hit song "Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman?" The chorus includes the line, "To really love a woman, to understand her - you gotta know her deep inside." The use of the split infinitive adds emphasis to the importance of truly understanding and getting to know someone.
4. "To boldly split infinitives"
Finally, we can't forget the humorist and writer Mark Twain, who famously said, "When you catch an adjective, kill it. No, I don't mean utterly, but kill most of them - then the rest will be valuable. They weaken when they are close together. They give strength when they are far apart." Twain also famously quipped, "Whenever the literary German dives into a sentence, that is the last you are going to see of him till he emerges on the other side of his Atlantic with his verb in his mouth." Twain's use of split infinitives was intentional and often used for comedic effect.
Conclusion
As we can see from these famous examples, split infinitives have been used by some of the greatest writers and speakers throughout history. While they may not be appropriate in formal writing, they can add emphasis and nuance to our language. Whether you love them or hate them, split infinitives are here to stay.