Apodosis

/əˈpɒdəsɪs/ noun

Definition

The concluding part of a conditional sentence that states the result, like the 'then' clause in 'if X, then Y.'

Etymology

From Ancient Greek apodosis (ἀπόδοσις), from apo- (away, back) + dosis (giving), literally 'a giving back.' Adopted into grammatical terminology by ancient Greek grammarians.

Kelly Says

The apodosis is why we can say 'If it rains, I'll stay inside'—that second part isn't random; it's the 'payoff' that your brain expects once you've set up an 'if,' making conditional thinking hardwired into language structure.

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