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Hypozeuxis

Techniques > Use of language > Figures of speech > Hypozeuxis

Method | Example | Discussion | See also

Description

Hypozeuxis is the use of parallel clauses, each with a subject and predicate.

Example

I came, I saw, I conquered.

Michael rode, Susan sewed, the family thrived whilst others just survived.

The good man smiles as the bad man scowls and the indifferent man passed by.

Discussion

Zeugma is the sharing of a subject (noun) or predicate verb between clauses (eg. 'I came, saw and conquered'). Hypozeuxis is the opposite of this, as every clause has its own separate subject-predicate (or noun-verb) pair.

Whilst much speech abbreviates, hypozeuxis is more precise, making it more difficult for the listener to be confused. At the same time, a pattern is often created, especially if the clauses are of the same size, so drawing attention.

Hypozeuxis comes from the Greek 'hypozeug', meaning 'to put under the yoke'.

Classification: Grammar, Repetition, Attention