Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[jasonlulu_2000]

I came across the following sentence, which puzzles me a lot.

When you face challenges, friends encourage you to not give up but to do your best.

My Question is: Should we say " encourage you not to give up" instead?

Thanks a lot.

Jason

[pugachevV]

...to not give up... is an example of a split infinitive. This is a grammar error that you should avoid.
You are correct when you suggest that it ought to read, "Friends encourage you not to give up, but to do your best".