Adverb between to and the infinitive.
451. There is a construction which is becoming more and more common among good writers,—the placing an adverb between to of the infinitive and the infinitive itself. The practice is condemned by many grammarians, while defended or excused by others. Standard writers often use it, and often, purposely or not, avoid it.
The following two examples show the adverb before the infinitive:—
The more common usage.
He handled it with such nicety of address as sufficiently to show that he fully understood the business.—Scott.
It is a solemn, universal assertion, deeply to be kept in mind by all sects.—Ruskin.
This is the more common arrangement; yet frequently the desire seems to be to get the adverb snugly against the infinitive, to modify it as closely and clearly as possible.
Exercise.
In the following citations, see if the adverbs can be placed before or after the infinitive and still modify it as clearly as they now do:—
1. There are, then, many things to be carefully considered, if a strike is to succeed.—Laughlin.