periodic sentence

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Word: Periodic Sentence

Definition: A periodic sentence is a type of complex sentence in English where the main idea (or main clause) comes at the end. This means that the sentence begins with a subordinate clause (which provides additional information) and then finishes with the main clause.

Usage Instructions:

When writing a periodic sentence, start with a subordinate clause that sets the scene or provides context. Then, conclude with the main clause that delivers the important or surprising information. This structure can create suspense and keep the reader engaged until the end.

Example:

• Subordinate Clause: Although she was tired from the long journey,
• Main Clause: she decided to attend the concert.
• Complete Periodic Sentence: Although she was tired from the long journey, she decided to attend the concert.

Advanced Usage:

Periodic sentences are often used in formal writing and literature to create a dramatic effect or to emphasize a point. Writers like John Milton and Virginia Woolf have used this structure to enhance their prose.

Word Variants:

• There are no direct variants of "periodic sentence," but you might encounter related phrases like "complex sentence," which refers to any sentence containing a main clause and one or more subordinate clauses.

Different Meaning:

The term "periodic" can also refer to something that occurs at regular intervals (like a periodic table in science). However, in the context of grammar, it specifically relates to the structure of a sentence.

Synonyms:

• Complex Sentence: While this is a broader term that includes periodic sentences, it is not an exact synonym.
• Suspenseful Sentence: This is more of a descriptive phrase than a direct synonym but conveys a similar idea of creating tension through structure.

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

There are no direct idioms or phrasal verbs specifically associated with "periodic sentence." However, understanding the concept of building suspense and delaying the main point can be applied to various forms of communication.

Summary:

A periodic sentence is an effective way to structure your writing, allowing you to build anticipation and emphasize your main point.

Academic

Noun

1. a complex sentence in which the main clause comes last and is preceded by the subordinate clause