Hyperbaton

Techniques > Use of language > Figures of speech > Hyperbaton

Method | Example | Discussion | See also

Description

Hyperbaton is the rearrangement of a sentence or phrase, moving an item to a place other than its correct syntactical position.

Example

I will you kiss.

Her hair let loose and sunny,
warmed the withering day.

On your set, get marks, go!

Discussion

Hyperbaton can be used for deliberate effect, rearranging a sentence to change the meaning or to gain attention. The trick is to sustain the meaning whilst causing momentary confusion whilst the audience works out what is being said.

Hyperbaton also allows for key words to be placed for maximum emphasis -- usually at the start or end of a sentence.

The Greek word 'hyperbaton' means 'transposition'.

Classification: Rearrangement