confusion regarding to+verb forms!!!!

[pras1387]

is the to+adverb+verb form correct??
i.e.
Eg:
I need you to quickly run out to the store - incorrect.
I need you to run quickly out to the store - correct.

Should the form to+verb be strictly followed for correct answer choices??
teachers pls elaborate.

thanx.

[jnelson0612]

is the to+adverb+verb form correct??
i.e.
Eg:
I need you to quickly run out to the store - incorrect.
I need you to run quickly out to the store - correct.

Should the form to+verb be strictly followed for correct answer choices??
teachers pls elaborate.

thanx.

My understanding is that no, that is not correct. That construct of "to+adverb+verb" is called a split infinitive, which is not correct. You want to keep the infinitive together (the "to" and the "verb") and then follow it with the adverb.

[vikram4689]

hi jamie,

i don't think split infinitive (= incorrect) can be taken as an absolute rule. in OG12 #3 correct answer uses "to seriously study" - a "to+adverb+verb" form

what do you think

[tim]

to my knowledge the GMAT has never tested split infinitives, so in other words it's a nonissue..

[Willy]

hi jamie,

i don't think split infinitive (= incorrect) can be taken as an absolute rule. in OG12 #3 correct answer uses "to seriously study" - a "to+adverb+verb" form

what do you think

I don't think in OG12 #3, correct answer choice i.e. in choice E there is an issue of split infinitive. Correct answer choice,E, is -- it was not until almost 1900 that scholars and critics seriously began studying.

seriously began studying -- is not "to+adverb+verb" form!

Please correct me if I am wrong.

[RonPurewal]

this is a style issue. the gmat doesn't test style issues, so tim is right: it's a non-issue.

---- READ BELOW THIS LINE ONLY IF YOU ARE INTERESTED ----

the notion that infinitives should never be split is incorrect; it's easy to construct sentences in which the infinitive must be split for the sentence to work.
e.g.
james is going to gradually sell the clothes that he has bought this year.
in this sentence, you can't put "gradually" anywhere else.

in other sentences -- sentences that can actually be rewritten without a split infinitive -- this is a hotly contested notion. it's one of those topics that cause intense bickering among language nerds who've gotten a bit drunk.

[tim]

Willie, you are correct that the answer to #3 is E, but as Ron points out, it is for reasons other than simply avoiding split infinitives..

[Willy]

this is a style issue. the gmat doesn't test style issues, so tim is right: it's a non-issue.

---- READ BELOW THIS LINE ONLY IF YOU ARE INTERESTED ----

the notion that infinitives should never be split is incorrect; it's easy to construct sentences in which the infinitive must be split for the sentence to work.
e.g.
james is going to gradually sell the clothes that he has bought this year.
in this sentence, you can't put "gradually" anywhere else.

in other sentences -- sentences that can actually be rewritten without a split infinitive -- this is a hotly contested notion. it's one of those topics that cause intense bickering among language nerds who've gotten a bit drunk.

Can you please let us whether there is a general rule for this construction i.e. is there any general rule when we can split infinitive or when we shouldn't? Or as you said above - it all depends on style issue?

BTW, your explanations are really helpful. Thank you Ron and Tim.

[RonPurewal]

Can you please let us whether there is a general rule for this construction i.e. is there any general rule when we can split infinitive or when we shouldn't? Or as you said above - it all depends on style issue?

it is as i said above.

[Willy]

Can you please let us whether there is a general rule for this construction i.e. is there any general rule when we can split infinitive or when we shouldn't? Or as you said above - it all depends on style issue?

it is as i said above.

Oh, I got it.

Thank you!

[tim]

:)

[sharma.vybhav]

Some Historical Low down on the Split Infinitive

http://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-cult ... 40351.html

Source: Smithsonian magazine, February 2013

Historically, you can and the Shakespears,Wordsworth have been spliting the Infinitive but on the GMAT dont even think about it.

[tim]

again, not an issue the GMAT really seems to test..