periodic sentence

American  

[peer-ee-od-ik, peer-] / ˈpɪər iˈɒd ɪk, ˌpɪər- /

noun

1. a sentence that, by leaving the completion of its main clause to the end, produces an effect of suspense, as in Unable to join the others at the dance because of my sprained ankle, I went to a movie.

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periodic sentence British  

/ ˌpɪərɪˈɒdɪk /

noun

1. rhetoric a sentence in which the completion of the main clause is left to the end, thus creating an effect of suspense

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Etymology

Origin of periodic sentence

First recorded in 1895–1900

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

periodic sentence

The periodic sentence is generally so massed that the end contains words of distinction, and the sentence forms a climax.

From English: Composition and Literature by W. F. (William Franklin) Webster

A periodic sentence holds the meaning in suspense till the close.

From Elementary Guide to Literary Criticism by F. V. N. (Franklin Verzelius Newton) Painter

A periodic sentence is doubly emphatic: it has emphasis by position because the important idea comes at the end; it has emphasis by subordination because all ideas except the last one are grammatically dependent.

From The Century Handbook of Writing by Garland Greever

A periodic sentence is one which is not grammatically or logically complete till the end.

From The Art Of Writing & Speaking The English Language Word-Study and Composition & Rhetoric by Sherwin Cody

Herbert, on the philosophy of the periodic sentence, 212.Spenser,

From English: Composition and Literature by W. F. (William Franklin) Webster