Short sentences are simple sentences that cannot put emphasis on information that is more important. Complex sentences are mostly used when the writer wants to arrange the information in an order of importance. It creates a dramatic effect, as it keeps the reader in suspense about what is going to happen. On the flip side, it forces the reader to search for the delayed main idea. The reader could sometimes lose interest midway, especially in case of periodic interruptive sentences that are long.
- Natasha’s trainer spotted her talent right away and patiently guided her to each next level of skill.
- To avoid monotony, they should be broken up with simpler sentences.
- He studied at Georgetown University, worked at Google and became infatuated with English Grammar and for years has been diving into the language, demystifying the do’s and don’ts for all who share the same passion!
- By investing time in refining your periodic sentence compositions, you can maximize their impact and help retain your reader’s interest throughout your work.
This information should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional. Periodic sentences are those that feature the main clause and/or predicate at the end of the sentence. Here, Emerson creates drama by setting up his definition of genius. Readers might find themselves surprised that belief in one’s own thought is what defines “genius” in this literary work. Leaving it till the end of the sentence makes the phrase feel more meaningful and interesting.
Besides this classification, one should have a basic idea about the concept of periodic and loose sentences. A periodic sentence is defined as a sentence in which the writer holds back the central idea till the very end. Thus, it begins with the dependent clause and ends with the independent clause. Employing a variety of sentence structures will help maintain the reader’s engagement while preventing monotony. Striking the right balance between periodic and other sentence structures, such as loose sentences, ensures your writing remains dynamic and captivating. While loose sentences more closely mirror ordinary speech, periodic sentences inject drama and excitement into your prose.
A periodic sentence is a sentence, usually complex or long, that builds up expectations and deliberately positions the main clause at the end. Shakespeare uses this technique at this moment in order to romanticize the sentiment and make the passage all the more memorable. Complex sentences are a formidable tool for conveying intricate, engaging, and thought-provoking ideas in English grammar. By understanding their construction and effectively employing them in your writing and speech, you will enrich your communication and pave the way for more meaningful interactions. The build-up makes up the rest of the sentence and creates some suspense.
This creates a sense of suspense and anticipation for the reader, as they are kept in suspense until the end of the sentence or paragraph. Periodic structure is often used in persuasive writing, speeches, https://business-accounting.net/ and other forms of rhetoric to create a sense of drama and emphasize key points. By delaying the reveal of the main idea, writers can build tension and engage the reader more deeply in their message.
periodic
Let’s look into complex sentences in more depth and figure out what they mean. By understanding the differences between periodic and loose sentences, writers can make informed choices about how to structure their sentences for the desired effect. The key is to balance these various sentence structures to create engaging and dynamic writing that captures and retains the reader’s interest. Characterized by the presence of an independent clause and one or more dependent clauses, these sentence structures skillfully convey relationships like cause-and-effect, comparison, and other logical connections. This added layer of information helps to provide context or detailed descriptions, enriching the overall narrative.
As demonstrated above, periodic sentences generate intrigue by revealing their main point only after several dependent clauses. This structure offers a captivating method of revealing essential information and can leave a lasting impression on the reader. When constructing a periodic sentence, it’s essential to strike a balance between suspense and clarity. An overly convoluted sentence may deter readers, while one that is too simple may lack impact. Therefore, periodic sentences should be used deliberately and thoughtfully to grasp readers’ attention and powerfully deliver the climactic message. A periodic sentence, by design, postpones its main clause until the conclusion, holding the reader’s attention and creating an air of anticipation.
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A periodic sentence helps to handle sensitive and emotional ideas and avoids offending readers. According to Grammar Monster, a periodic sentence is one in which a sentence that has been deliberately structured to place the main point at the end. A periodic sentence will have its main clause or predicate as the last part. This is a type of rhetoric like parallelism that is used to build suspense and draw the reader to a specific word while creating curiosity during the busy sentence, until the final revelation is revealed. We’ll begin our review of periodic sentences by first looking at how they differ from loose sentences. The sentence opens with a clause and a phrase without informing the reader to whom or what they refer.
As demonstrated in the literary example above, the periodic sentence delays the main action – in this case, the description of the beautiful scenery – until the very end. Readers are first guided through a series of picturesque details before reaching the unveiling of the primary message. Periodic sentences build upon the readers’ curiosity as they navigate through the sentence’s details and context before reaching the main idea.
Here, Coelho’s speaker places the main clause “you’ll be a happy man” at the end of the statement. It takes reading through “If you can always concentrate on the present” to get to the main point of the sentence. A complex sentence is like a master storyteller – offering you an engaging narrative fueled by detail, depth, and intrigue. If the writer put the main clause at the start, it may offend people.
More from Merriam-Webster on periodic
With a gradually unfolding succession of differently weighted descriptions, the effective technique is one that can enrich the image, arouse curiosity, or expound an argument. There is an aesthetic of poetry to this way of constructing a sentence — an emotional creation of tension and release. In part due to this extra rhetoric, but also because of a media-influenced cultural preference for brevity, periodic sentences are not commonly encountered.
To make the listener receptive and open to considering an idea
This practice allows you to detect any awkwardness in rhythm or clarity, opening up opportunities for improvement and fine-tuning. By investing time in refining your periodic sentence compositions, you can maximize their impact and help retain your reader’s interest throughout your work. Embrace the potential of periodic sentences to elevate your writing and create memorable content that resonates with your audience. Over time, periodic sentences have continued to be a popular choice among writers for their unique ability to create anticipation, hold attention, and elicit a strong response from readers.
Have you ever found yourself captivated by a sentence that gradually builds anticipation and suspense, as you eagerly wait for the main point to be revealed? You’ve likely encountered a periodic sentence, a form of complex sentence in English grammar that strategically structures the main idea at the end. This linguistic technique creates a powerful effect by using dependent clauses to lead up to the independent clause, emphasizing the key message. In this article, you’ll learn about the origins of periodic sentences, their unique characteristics, and how to use them effectively in your writing.
Loose sentences prioritize clarity and immediacy, providing readers with the main point at the beginning of the sentence. While not as dramatic or suspenseful as periodic sentences, they offer a sense of transparency and make for more effortless reading. A periodic sentence is a carefully structured arrangement of words, designed to create suspense and deliver a powerful impact. To better understand the intricate components of a periodic sentence, let’s break it down into its fundamental parts. While they can add style and effect to formal writing, as with any tool or technique, periodic sentences should be used with proper restraint. Relying on them or grouping too many together can draw attention to writing and start to sound redundant and stilted.
These sentences are recognized for their rhetorical prowess and have been utilized by prolific writers to enhance their prose with stylistic flair and suspense. Writers use periodic structure when they want to create drama or make their text feel more poetic and aesthetic. Leaving the main clause until the end of a passage or line forces the reader to dig their way through other images. This should, periodic sentence definition in theory, make that main clause all the more impactful when it’s finally revealed. Kipling was betting on this when he wrote ‘If—.’ It should be noted, though, that some examples of periodic structure in one’s writing are okay, but too many could overwhelm the reader and make it hard to understand what’s going on. As you revise your writing, be sure to read your periodic sentences out loud.
