extraposition

American  

[ek-struh-puh-zish-uhn] / ˌɛk strə pəˈzɪʃ ən /

noun

Linguistics.

1. a rule of transformational grammar that shifts a subordinate or modifying clause to the end of a sentence, as in changing That you sign the paper is necessary to It is necessary that you sign the paper.

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extraposition British  

/ ˌɛkstrəpəˈzɪʃən /

noun

1. placement of something outside something else

2. transformational grammar a rule that moves embedded clauses out to the end of the main clause, converting, for example, A man who will help has just arrived into A man has just arrived who will help

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Etymology

Origin of extraposition

1925–30; extra- + position; apparently coined by Otto Jespersen

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