the split infinitive

[balakrishnanijk]

What is the position adopted by native speakers with regard to the use of the split infinitive? Is the sentence "You are to immediately report the matter to the police" all right?

[BobK]

What is the position adopted by native speakers with regard to the use of the split infinitive? Is the sentence "You are to immediately report the matter to the police" all right?

As you may know from other threads, native speakers differ. So do published authorities. Casiopea's recent post (in another thread - http://www.usingenglish.com/forum/as...tml#post194751) sums up the situation.



b

[balakrishnanijk]

Dear BobK
I have done what you told me to and admittedly that has shed some light on the matter but none of them seem to have answered my question of the grammaticlity and acceptability of using an adverb between "to and "the "verb(?)."
Please comment

[BobK]

As I've said before, the issue is hotly debated. For the purposes of an English language student in a formal situation (application for a job or academic position) it would be wiser not to separate the "to" from the infinitive.

b