In dialogue, make sure that your attributives do not…
“In dialogue, make sure that your attributives do not awkwardly interrupt a spoken sentence. Place them where the breath would come naturally in speech-that is, where the speaker would pause for emphasis, or take a breath. The best test for locating an attributive is to speak the sentence aloud.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Place descriptive phrases where natural speech pauses, ensuring clarity and flow.
In simple terms: Use pauses for modifiers.
Key Takeaway
Speak aloud to test sentence rhythm.
Themes
writing
clarity
speech rhythm
Mood
analytical
educational
Type
instructional
literary
When to use this quote
- public speaking
- writing drafts
- editing prose
Key Concepts
grammar
stylistic technique
Questions to Reflect On
- Does the sentence sound natural when spoken?
- Where should emphasis naturally fall?
A Different Perspective
Over‑editing can make prose feel forced.