Page:The king's English (IA kingsenglish00fowlrich).pdf/333
25. 'Split' Infinitives
The 'split' infinitive has taken such hold upon the consciences of journalists that, instead of warning the novice against splitting his infinitives, we must warn him against the curious superstition that the splitting or not splitting makes the difference between a good and a bad writer. The split infinitive is an ugly thing, as will be seen from our examples below; but it is one among several hundred ugly things, and the novice should not allow it to occupy his mind exclusively. Even that mysterious quality, 'distinction' of style, may in modest measure be attained by a splitter of infinitives: 'The book is written with a distinction (save in the matter of split infinitives) unusual in such works.'—Times.
The time has come to once again voice the general discontent.–Times.
It should be authorized to immediately put in hand such work.–Times.
Important negotiations are even now proceeding to further cement trade relations.—Times.
We were not as yet strong enough in numbers to seriously influence the poll.–Times.
Keep competition with you unless you wish to once more see a similar state of things to those prevalent prior to the inauguration...–Guernsey Evening Press.
And that she should force me, by the magic of her pen to mentally acknowledge, albeit with wrath and shame, my own inferiority.–Corelli.
The oil lamp my landlady was good enough to still allow me the use of.–Corelli.
The 'persistent agitation'...is to so arouse public opinion on the subject as to...–Times.
In order to slightly extend that duration in the case of a few.–Times.
To thus prevent a constant accretion to the Jewish population of Russia from this country would be nobler work...–Times.
26. Compound Passives
Corresponding to the active construction '...have attempted to justify this step', we get two passive constructions: (1) 'This step has been attempted to be justified', (2) 'It has been attempted to justify this step'. Of these (1), although licensed by usage, is an incorrect and slovenly makeshift: