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N5pn4cya Posted 18 years ago
Grammar
Adverb in perfect tense construction & split infinitive
Hi.
Is there a prescriptive rule regarding placing an adverb in between a perfect tense construction, i.e. has + (adverb) + past participle?
Is either one of these incorrect? (1) He has bravely gone into the woods. (2) He has gone bravely into the woods.
I feel like this is a similar case to the split infinitive rule, which forbids something like "to bravely go where no one dares to go." To me, the "to + adverb + verb" construction is similar to the "has + adverb + past participle" construction. This is the reason why I'm wondering if putting an adverb in between a perfect construction wrongly splits the perfect tense.
Another example of split infinitive:
You need to honestly tell me what you have done. / You need to tell me honestly what you have done.
Thank you so much.
Is there a prescriptive rule regarding placing an adverb in between a perfect tense construction, i.e. has + (adverb) + past participle?
Is either one of these incorrect? (1) He has bravely gone into the woods. (2) He has gone bravely into the woods.
I feel like this is a similar case to the split infinitive rule, which forbids something like "to bravely go where no one dares to go." To me, the "to + adverb + verb" construction is similar to the "has + adverb + past participle" construction. This is the reason why I'm wondering if putting an adverb in between a perfect construction wrongly splits the perfect tense.
Another example of split infinitive:
You need to honestly tell me what you have done. / You need to tell me honestly what you have done.
Thank you so much.
Top answer
The adverb can usually easily follow the first element of a verb phrase (among other places)-- I have never seen; we have eagerly been awaiting . There is obviously no rule against it, though certain kinds of adverbs rest more comfortably elsewhere. The 'rule' against splitting infinitives is long defunct; it need be observed only if your teacher insists on it in his/her assignments or tests.
- The adverb can usually easily follow the first element of a verb phrase (among other places)-- I have never seen; we have eagerly been awaiting .
- There is obviously no rule against it, though certain kinds of adverbs rest more comfortably elsewhere.
- The 'rule' against splitting infinitives is long defunct; it need be observed only if your teacher insists on it in his/her assignments or tests.
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3 Answers
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The adverb can usually easily follow the first element of a verb phrase (among other places)-- I have never seen; we have eagerly been awaiting. There is obviously no rule against it, though certain kinds of adverbs rest more comfortably elsewhere.
The 'rule' against splitting infinitives is long defunct; it need be observed only if your teacher insists on it in his/
The 'rule' against splitting infinitives is long defunct; it need be observed only if your teacher insists on it in his/
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Thank you, Mr.M.
In your previous responding post, you wrote:
The 'rule' against splitting infinitives is long defunct; it need be observed only if your teacher insists on it in his/her assignments or tests.
What is the facor involved in deciding which way to write your partial sentence?
it need be observed only if ... (I think this is a modal form)
it
In your previous responding post, you wrote:
The 'rule' against splitting infinitives is long defunct; it need be observed only if your teacher insists on it in his/her assignments or tests.
What is the facor involved in deciding which way to write your partial sentence?
it need be observed only if ... (I think this is a modal form)
it
00
It was my (unconscious) option. I think the modal is more formal.
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