David W. Jones1d ago

#WritersCoffeeClub 4/10 What's something other writers swear by that you just don't get?

Never splitting infinitives in English. The rule came from Latin, where an infinitive is a single word. English infinitives are TWO words, and Latin lost all its prestige centuries ago!

Show threadBrendan Halpin
@dancingtreefrog 100% but one exception (not clear why): I tell you "not to do something", not "to not do something"
Apr 11 at 11:11amTusky
Show threadDavid W. Jones1d ago
@bthalpin
Idiom, I think. But the people trying to graft Latin grammar onto English were very prescriptive ("You will do this") trying to uplift our beautiful street urchin of a language! 😁