have split infinitives become so common that they're ok?

Answer 1

The rule about not splitting infinitives was invented by grammarians who decided that English should be more like Latin. In Latin and other languages the infinitive is one word (French: parler, to speak, German sprechen, to speak) and it is impossible to split it. In English we use to + verb as the infinitive, so it is possible to split it. This is a 'rule' that needs to disappear. Often splitting the infinitive is the only way to write or say what we actually mean in a way that doesn't sound awkward or hypercorrect.

Answer 2

Listen to frauholzer. People were splitting infinitives in English long before the rule was invented. It seems awfully arbitrary to me to make rules that are intended solely to make English more like Latin.

Answer 3

To boldly go where no grammarian has gone before (with apologies to Capt. Kirk), I would say they are probably conversationally acceptable, but I would avoid them in formal essays, especially an essay for an English professor.

Answer 4

I vow to never spilt infinitives
it is very wrong

=)

Answer 5

no