maverick88  +  70659 Fri, 28 Jan 05 07:13 PM I was taught not to separate between a "to" and a "verb", just like in this sentence. However, I often see in newspapers sentences like this: "This pledge commits you to not even speak against the Americans". Both "even" and "not" came between. So my questions are: 1) Is it correct? 2) May "even" come between? Which other words may? 3) In which cases can I separate between a "to" and the "verb", like in the sentence above? Thanks maverick88 Joined on Mon, Nov 22 2004 Israel Regular Member 695 An English learner Verbs

	nona the brit  +  70687 Sat, 29 Jan 05 12:07 AM Isn't this what was called a split infinitive? Perhaps formally but I think this rule is somewhat obsolete now, if it makes sense with it split, then split away! To quote star trek 'to boldly go, where no-one has gone before' sounds far better than 'To go boldly, where no-one has gone before.' nona the brit Joined on Wed, Sep 22 2004 England Veteran Member 11,713 The name says it all.

	CalifJim  +  70752 Sat, 29 Jan 05 07:47 AM The problem, in my opinion, has nothing to do with split infinitives. I believe the "to" in the expression "commits (someone) to" is a preposition. As such it should take the "ing" form. "This pledge commits you to not even speaking against the Americans." ??? This pledge commits me to tell the truth. This pledge commits me to telling the truth. CalifJim Joined on Mon, Aug 2 2004 California Veteran Member 22,421 "There are no facts, only interpretations" - Nietzsche Prepositions

	just the truth  +  70798 Sat, 29 Jan 05 01:34 PM The rule against split infinitives was another gem of the prescriptive school of grammar. The CGEL states that there was/is "no rational basis for the prescriptive rule". Again, as with so many other PG rules, "o reason was ever given as to why the construction was supposedly objectionable ...". They even got the name wrong; "It should be noted that the term 'split infinitive' is a misnomer". "Prescriptive rules and recommendations are often motivated by the wish to achieve clarity of expression, in particular to avoid ambiguity. ... A curious feature of the 'split infinitive' rule, however, is that it has the potential to reduce clarity, to create ambiguity." [CGEL] just the truth Joined on Mon, Dec 27 2004 Regular Member 849 Constructions, Grammar

	MrPedantic  +  70831 Sat, 29 Jan 05 03:23 PM Those chaps at the NY Times are very busy, Maverick. They often don't have time to proof-read their web-blurb. What a curious phrase 'star trek' is. MrP MrPedantic Joined on Tue, Oct 12 2004 Veteran Member 12,592 ...opella forensis / adducit febris...

	paco2004  +  70900 Sat, 29 Jan 05 11:07 PM I got to know the word "trek" when I visited South Africa. (It was a time when Mr Nelson Mandela was still in a prison) Isn't it a Dutch word? Does 'star trek' mean 'trek by stars' or 'trek to stars'? paco paco2004 Joined on Wed, Nov 17 2004 Senior Member 4,095 In Japan today even dogs are learning how to bow-wow in English.

	MrPedantic  +  70906 Sat, 29 Jan 05 11:31 PM A 'trek to the stars', presumably – and strange because it's such a trudging, feet-on-ground kind of word. Yet used of a journey at the speed of light. An odd mixture of the light and the leaden. MrP MrPedantic