2006-08-01 21:37:34 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Education & Reference ➔ Teaching
Are you talking about split infinitives?
Proper English states you should not place an adverb between "to" and the "verb". A well-known example would be from "Star Trek" when Kirk says, "To boldly go where no man has gone before." Boldly should not split to and go. "To go boldly ..." would be more correct. Or, "Boldly, to go ...". Generally, split infinitives are accepted in everyday usage; however, you should always be on the lookout for the language police.
In your example, it should be "not to be able to sleep at all", but I would suggest "to be unable to sleep at all".
Hope this helps.
2006-08-02 01:53:33 · answer #1 · answered by RDW928 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
"To be able" means having the ability to do something. "To be" is the infinitive of the verb "be". The something will be the following infinitive, e.g. "to sleep". You can use the same structure to explain the lack of ability to do something.
Put the structure into an everyday sentence: "I am able to sleep", "I am not able to sleep" and you see that the verb "be" is in the same position and is perfectly normal.
2006-08-02 08:02:16 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
To not sleep at all would make you very sleepy in the morning.
2006-08-02 04:43:23 · answer #3 · answered by torreyc73 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes
2006-08-02 04:44:05 · answer #4 · answered by Blah 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋