[Grammar] to carefully listen vs. to listen carefully

[mihallure]

I've recently read that splitting infinitives is not correct or at least not desirable.
E.g. 'You must try to carefully listen'.
I used to do that a lot because I thought it sounded better when splitting the infinitive. Since I'm not sure of the reliability of the site where I have read this information, I also wanted to ask for your opinion. Is splitting the infinitive correct or not?
Thank you!

 

[Rover_KE]

Click here to find links to many previous threads on this topic.

I found this page by typing 'Split infinitives' in the Google Custom Search box near the top of the page.

 

[Tdol]

Is splitting the infinitive correct or not?

People do split infinitives. A small number of people claim it is wrong. There are no grounds for this claim at all, but they make a lot of noise about it. I see no reason to split the infinitive in your example. I do it when it helps with the flow and keeps the adverb close to the verb when it might otherwise get stranded somewhere.

 

[MikeNewYork]

I've recently read that splitting infinitives is not correct or at least not desirable.
E.g. 'You must try to carefully listen'.
I used to do that a lot because I thought it sounded better when splitting the infinitive. Since I'm not sure of the reliability of the site where I have read this information, I also wanted to ask for your opinion. Is splitting the infinitive correct or not?
Thank you!

I agree with Tdol. In most cases, a single adverb placed between "to" and the verb form is acceptable and results in no change of meaning.

Your example: to listen carefully" and "to carefully listen" is one of them. There are some cases in which I think the infinitive splitting adds a more proactive meaning to the phrase, particularly with a negative adverbial. Example: "I am trying not to fail this class" versus "I am trying to not fail this class". For me the second is more proactive than the first. Others will probably disagree.

 

[Tdol]

Example: "I am trying not to fail this class" versus "I am trying to not fail this class". For me the second is more proactive than the first. Others will probably disagree.

I do this too, but wonder how many get the intention.

 

[MikeNewYork]

I do this too, but wonder how many get the intention.

I don't know.