periodic sentence

[ peer-ee-od-ik, peer- ]

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.

periodic sentence

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of periodic sentence¹

First recorded in 1895–1900

Example Sentences

It’s certainly true that this short book contains many of his trademarks: discursive and periodic sentences, arcane jargon, endless self-analysis.

From Los Angeles Times

He is also very incoherent, spinning interminable periodic sentences, which sometimes do not hang together grammatically or logically.

From Project Gutenberg

The effectiveness of the periodic sentence arises from the prominence which it gives to the main statement.

From Project Gutenberg

The long and euphonious periodic sentences suggest the style of Gibbon or of Dr. Johnson, whilst the occasional metrical lines remind the reviewer of Dr. Young's solemn "Night Thoughts".

From Project Gutenberg

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 Project Gutenberg