Infinitives
Hidden & Split Infinitives
After verbs of perception, the infinitive is
used without to. This is a hidden infinitive.
O Verbs of perception are verbs such as hear,
see, and feel.
O We heard the astronomer talk about the
comet.
O The crowd saw the moon appear red that
night.
Hidden infinitives also appear after the verbs
let, make, dare, need, & help.
O We would not dare use Marshall’s telescope
without his permission.
O I will help feed the dogs.
O Mary let us bathe them after feeding time.
The to is also left out after the prepositions
but and except and the conjunction than.
O Marshall does little but talk about the comet
these days.
O I’d rather conduct an experiment than read
about science.
An adverb placed between to and the
verb makes a split infinitive.
O We were told to carefully view each star.
O A split infinitive does not result in good writing.
To avoid it, put the verb where it sounds right:
O We were told to view each star carefully.
An adverb placed between to and the
verb makes a split infinitive.
O (Split Infinitive):
Marshall told us to not damage his telescope.
O (Corrected version):
Marshall told us not to damage his telescope.
How would you correct this sentence?
O Barry was asked to politely chew his food.
O Barry was asked to chew his food politely.
The adverb placement can change the
meaning of the sentence. Be careful:
O Barry was asked politely to chew is food.