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Modifier enjambment

Device
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

The continuation of modifying words across a line break in poetry

Detailed Definition
Modifier enjambment occurs when a modifying phrase or clause is split across a line break, delaying syntactic resolution and creating tension between grammatical expectation and poetic pacing, thereby heightening emphasis or suspense in the unfolding description.
Example
Example in poetry:
The adjective or adverb modifying a noun in one line is separated from that noun by the line break: 'I saw the tall / house stand'; The modifying clause extends over the line end, leaving the main verb or subject for the following line: 'And the wind, which was sudden and strong, / Blew the sails to the sea'; A prepositional phrase acts as a modifier and is split across the enjambment: 'Of the mountain's icy / peak'; A phrase where the descriptive word is split from its subject by a full stanza break.
Additional Notes
Modifier enjambment: Enjambment (line break) that occurs between a modifier (adjective or adverb) and the word it modifies (noun or verb), creating suspense, surprise, or an unusual rhythm.
Also Known As
Modifier overflow adjectival enjambment chain enjambment Adverbial enjambment
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