'cleft infinitive' definitions:
Definition of 'cleft infinitive'
From: GCIDE
- Split infinitive \Split infinitive\ (Gram.) A simple infinitive with to, having a modifier between the verb and the to; as in, to largely decrease. Called also cleft infinitive.
- Note: The use of the split infinitive is commonly considered to be ungrammatical, but by most grammarians it is considered acceptible. [Webster 1913 Suppl. +PJC]