anacoluthon
noun
Meaning
A grammatical inconsistency or shift in syntax within a sentence where the end does not logically follow the beginning.
Examples
- The politician's speech was riddled with anacoluthon, making it difficult for the press to transcribe his exact meaning.
- While anacoluthon is often considered an error in formal writing, some poets use it intentionally to mimic the erratic nature of human thought.
Synonyms: inconsistency, non sequitur, solecism, anacoluthia