Hysteron proteron

Techniques > Use of language > Figures of speech > Hysteron proteron

Method | Example | Discussion | See also

Description

Hysteron proteron is reversing of the temporal sequence in order to put of important ideas first.

Example

I conquered, I saw, I came.

We can win by fighting hard.

She brought me up well and gave birth to my life.

Putting on my shoes and socks.

Discussion

When things happen it time, it is often the latter events which are the most important, yet narrative is often given in the sequence of activities. Hysteron proteron breaks this rule, putting the important things first.

By this deliberate reversal, hysteron proteron draws attention to the important point, so giving it primacy.

Hysteron proteron is a form of Hyperbaton, which describes general rearrangements of the sentence.

Classification: Reversal, Rearrangement