Breaths Quote by E. B. White
“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
Source Essay: The Elements of Style, 1959
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.
