On Apr 14, 2007, at 10:01 PM, gary turner wrote:
Maciej Stachowiak wrote:
On Apr 14, 2007, at 3:14 PM, Geoffrey Garen wrote:
1.4
"when not qualified to explicitly refer"
when not qualified explicitly to refer
(split infinitive)
The split infinitive is not generally considered a grammatical
error these days. See <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
Split_infinitive> for the fascinating (to grammar mavens) history
of the construction and a reference that "most experts on language
now agree that the split infinitive is sometimes appropriate."
For those of us, fifty years ago, who bore Mrs. Stokes's evil eye
in 7th grade English grammar, it still causes a certain queasiness
to watch the language change. But, change it does.
In these cases, though, un-splitting the infinitives makes the
meaning of the phrase more clear to those of us who do not already
grok the issue in fullness. It isn't always mere pedantry when one
picks at nits. Isn't that what writing a specification is all about?
In some cases, though, un-splitting the infinitive can increase
ambiguity. In Geoff's example above, is it the referring or the
qualification that is explicit? In the original language, it is clear
that it's the referring.
Regards,
Maciej
