by Jafje September 9, 2007
Get the Infinitive mug.To the above definitions not much can be added, except for this usage point: To, and I can't emphasize this enough, split an infinitive is considered to truly be bad grammar by many of the same people who think a preposition is a bad thing to incautiously end a sentence with.
Despite repeated admonitions by close friends and associates, the author continues to routinely split his infinitives. To someday learn to do otherwise is in many ways becoming an important thing to focus on learning to finally do.
by The Jive Chemist January 4, 2008
Get the infinitive mug.Related Words
a verb phrase using the word "to". "to be", "to hold", "to keep", "to have". Unfortunately, many people who use urbandictionary.com put a verb in the past tense and then begin their definition using the infinitive.
by Ex Hoc December 28, 2005
Get the infinitive mug.The Declaration of Independence declared that the United States would be infinitive from the UK's reign
by Humorescence September 6, 2025
Get the Infinitive mug.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.
by Aristophanes September 19, 2005
Get the split infinitive mug.Even faster than light or even ludicrous speed, the Infinite Improbability Drive allows the fictional ship The Heart of Gold to go anywhere, no matter how improbable. Its description from the novel from which originates, "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy":
"The Infinite Improbability Drive is a wonderful new method of crossing interstellar distances in a few seconds; without all that tedious mucking about in hyperspace. As the Improbability Drive reaches infinite improbability, it passes through every conceivable point in every conceivable universe almost simultaneously. In other words, you're never sure where you'll end up or even what species you'll be when you get there. It's therefore important to dress accordingly. The Infinite Improbability Drive was invented following research into finite improbability which was often used to break the ice at parties by making all the molecules in the hostess' undergarments leap one foot simultaneously to the left in accordance with the theory of indeterminacy. Many respectable physicists said they weren't going to stand for that sort of thing, partly because it was a debasement of science, but mostly because they didn't get invited to those sort of parties."
"The Infinite Improbability Drive is a wonderful new method of crossing interstellar distances in a few seconds; without all that tedious mucking about in hyperspace. As the Improbability Drive reaches infinite improbability, it passes through every conceivable point in every conceivable universe almost simultaneously. In other words, you're never sure where you'll end up or even what species you'll be when you get there. It's therefore important to dress accordingly. The Infinite Improbability Drive was invented following research into finite improbability which was often used to break the ice at parties by making all the molecules in the hostess' undergarments leap one foot simultaneously to the left in accordance with the theory of indeterminacy. Many respectable physicists said they weren't going to stand for that sort of thing, partly because it was a debasement of science, but mostly because they didn't get invited to those sort of parties."
by Kantankerous November 7, 2008
Get the Infinite Improbability Drive mug.When you and your loved one are so intimately connected, your hearts beat in sync, and you both know that no matter how far, no matter how long, you will always be there for each other, that's infinite love.
by Asyh.Vysaooy September 29, 2019
Get the Infinite love mug.