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