extraposition

[ ek-struh-puh-zish-uhn ]

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.

extraposition

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of extraposition¹

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