Extraposition

Definition

Extraposition is a grammatical construction where a clause or phrase that would typically appear in a subject position is shifted to the end of the sentence, often for clarity or emphasis. This technique helps in managing the flow of information, making it easier for readers to grasp new concepts while retaining focus on what is most important.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Extraposition often involves moving an entire clause or phrase that would typically serve as the subject to the end of a sentence, creating a smoother reading experience.
2. This construction helps highlight new information while maintaining a focus on given information, aiding comprehension.
3. Extraposition can be especially useful in complex sentences where introducing a subject upfront could confuse readers.
4. In English, extraposition frequently occurs with sentences that contain 'it' as a placeholder for the subject, like 'It is important that we study.'
5. The technique can enhance the rhythm and flow of writing, making it more engaging for the reader by varying sentence structure.

Review Questions

• How does extraposition help manage given and new information within a sentence?
  • Extraposition plays a crucial role in managing given and new information by placing familiar concepts upfront and pushing new details toward the end. This allows readers to easily understand what they already know before introducing something they need to learn. By doing this, writers create a clearer flow of ideas and reduce potential confusion, which is essential for effective communication.
• Discuss how extraposition relates to focus and emphasis techniques in writing.
  • Extraposition is closely related to focus and emphasis techniques because it allows writers to strategically place important information at the end of sentences, thereby drawing attention to it. By using extraposition, writers can emphasize new or critical points without overwhelming readers with complex structures. This technique enhances clarity and impact, making it easier for audiences to remember key messages.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of extraposition as a strategy for enhancing clarity and reader engagement in various forms of writing.
  • Extraposition is highly effective for enhancing clarity and reader engagement across different writing forms, such as academic papers, fiction, and journalism. By repositioning clauses to emphasize new information and maintain coherence, this technique keeps readers interested and helps them process ideas more easily. Additionally, when used judiciously, extraposition can break monotony in sentence structure, making prose more dynamic and enjoyable while ensuring essential messages are not lost.

Related terms

Cleft Sentences: A type of sentence structure that emphasizes a particular part of the sentence by splitting it into two clauses, usually beginning with 'It is' or 'It was'.

Fronting: A syntactic phenomenon where elements that normally appear later in a sentence are placed at the beginning for emphasis or clarity.

Information Structure: The way information is organized and presented in communication, particularly in relation to what is known versus what is new.