Extraposition

/ˌɛkstrəpəˈzɪʃən/ noun

Definition

In grammar, the movement of a clause or phrase to the end of a sentence, moving it from its normal position.

Etymology

From Latin 'extra' (outside) + 'positio' (placement, from 'ponere'). A modern linguistic term describing syntactic rearrangement patterns.

Kelly Says

In English, you can say 'It's obvious that she left' (extraposition) instead of 'That she left is obvious'—we naturally move the 'that' clause to the end because it sounds smoother, and linguists gave this shift the fancy name 'extraposition.'

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