• chuckleslord@lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    16
    arrow-down
    2
    ·
    21 hours ago

    I generally think the rule on splitting infinitives was made up by English majors upset that English isn’t more compatible with Latin, but in this case I think the attempt to avoid the split made the sentence weaker and ruins the sentiment.

    “Trying to not kill yourself” implies effort. It sounds like you’re actively avoiding something. “Trying not to kill yourself” sounds like you’re doing something different, to change it up.

    • OutlierBlue@lemmy.ca
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      7
      ·
      19 hours ago

      You’re right. There’s no actual rule in English that you can’t split infinitives. It was copied over from Latin in an attempt to try to come up with some rules for grammar.

      Source: Many nerdy discussions with Star Trek geeks about “to boldly go where no one has gone before”

  • shalafi@lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    8
    ·
    21 hours ago

    Had to quit the depression meds because I couldn’t cum, even if I did manage to care enough to try fucking.

    • Gormadt@lemmy.blahaj.zone
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      2
      ·
      14 hours ago

      Different meds can have different effects on different people

      I tried half a dozen different meds before I got a different diagnosis and prescription

      Each one came with its own unique set of side effects (like 1 anti anxiety drug that gave me panic attacks). Sometimes you’ve got to try a bunch before you get the one that works for you

    • RQG@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      5
      ·
      edit-2
      11 hours ago

      This isn’t too uncommon for some meds.

      But interestingly the same meds can sometimes help people who suffer from premature ejaculation.