Syntax and Sentence Structure Flashcards

A sentence that withholds the main clause until the very end, building suspense through preceding modifying phrases, is called a:

Answer: Periodic sentence

A periodic sentence delays the main clause until the end, creating anticipation and placing maximum emphasis on the final idea.

What rhetorical device involves the deliberate repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses or sentences?

Answer: Anaphora

Anaphora repeats a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses, creating rhythm, emphasis, and a sense of momentum.

Which type of sentence states the main clause first and then adds modifying details afterward?

Answer: Cumulative (loose) sentence

A cumulative or loose sentence leads with the main idea and then accumulates modifying phrases, creating a conversational, flowing feel.

In the opening phrase 'Running through the rain, she finally reached home,' what type of phrase modifies the subject?

Answer: Participial phrase

"Running through the rain" is a participial phrase—built on the present participle "running"—that modifies the subject "she."

Which sentence type contains two or more independent clauses AND at least one dependent clause?

Answer: Compound-complex sentence

A compound-complex sentence combines the features of both compound sentences (multiple independent clauses) and complex sentences (at least one dependent clause).

What is 'asyndeton'?

Answer: The deliberate omission of conjunctions between a series of clauses or items

Asyndeton omits conjunctions between clauses or list items, creating a rapid, emphatic pace—as in Caesar's famous 'I came, I saw, I conquered.'

In AP English Language and Composition, an author's choice of syntax primarily functions to:

Answer: Shape meaning, tone, and the reader's experience of the text

Syntax—the arrangement of words, phrases, and clauses—is a key rhetorical tool that affects pacing, emphasis, and the emotional and intellectual impact on readers.