Editing Split infinitive (section)

=== The descriptivist objection ===
One of the earliest arguments against the split infinitive, expressed by an anonymous contributor to the ''New-England Magazine'' in 1834, was based on the impression that it was not an observable feature of English as used by "good authors."<ref name="Anon 1834"/>
[[Henry Alford (theologian)|Henry Alford]], in his ''Plea for the Queen's English'' in 1864 went further, stating that use of the "split infinitive" was "a practice entirely unknown to English speakers and writers."<ref name="Alford 1864"/>
In principle there is a consensus that language teachers should advise on usage on the basis of what is observed to be current practice in the language. If the early critics of the construction did not observe it to be usual in (the prestige variety of) English as they knew it, their advice was legitimate. However it would be difficult to argue that way today, as the split infinitive has become very common.