A split infinitive is an infitive with another word, usually an adverb, inserted. Thus 'to boldy go' is a split infinitive from the verb 'to go'.
There is a myth circulating among uninformed English teachers that the split infinitive is somehow incorrect, yet if you ask them they cannot come up with a reason besides "it's wrong". The truth of the matter is that infinitives have been split for nearly seven hundred years, and condemnation of this construction arose in the 1800s by applying Latin to English grammar -- a practice which in the age of modern linguistics is laughable. Language does not conform to arbitrary rules, much less rules from another language.
There is a myth circulating among uninformed English teachers that the split infinitive is somehow incorrect, yet if you ask them they cannot come up with a reason besides "it's wrong". The truth of the matter is that infinitives have been split for nearly seven hundred years, and condemnation of this construction arose in the 1800s by applying Latin to English grammar -- a practice which in the age of modern linguistics is laughable. Language does not conform to arbitrary rules, much less rules from another language.
The next time your English teacher tells you the split infinitive is wrong, ask them why. I promise you will find the non-response hilarious.
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by Fish & Hi Jenks May 7, 2008
Get the Splintahs mug.A group of stag party participants who sneakily break away from the main group because they're too boring
by HJOlympian June 9, 2010
Get the Splinter Group mug.When some establishment/person/company/entity has taken an object and made it inaccessible or removed it from public or personal consumption, they are said to have "split the oldies" on that object.
After using Facebook for a year, Phil split the oldies on MySpace.
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As a New Year's resolution, Liz split the oldies on her coffee addiction.
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Realizing that he really wanted to work with math, Suraj split the oldies on his English major.
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Nate split the oldies on his iPod mini when he got an iPod touch for Christmas.
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As a New Year's resolution, Liz split the oldies on her coffee addiction.
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Realizing that he really wanted to work with math, Suraj split the oldies on his English major.
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Nate split the oldies on his iPod mini when he got an iPod touch for Christmas.
by 37years March 8, 2011
Get the Split the Oldies mug.When your peen is sucked so hard the juicy meat inside comes out, leaving only the remaining foreskin on your body.
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