The Writing Center @ KUMC
Dykes Library G011 • www.kumc.edu/writing • 945-8477
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Periodic and Loose
Periodic and loose sentences are two of the most common forms of sentence structure
in English. Both of these forms are types of complex sentences. The four sentence
structure types are as follows:
1)
Simple:
Sentences consist of a subject and a verb to form an independent clause.
“The boy is hungry.”
2)
Compound:
Sentences consist of two or more independent clauses joined by a
conjunction or semicolon. Each of these clauses could form a sentence alone. “I
like coffee and Sarah likes tea.”
3)
Complex:
Sentences consist of an independent clause and at least one
dependent clause. “He left in a hurry after he got a phone call.”
4)
Compound-complex:
Sentences consist of at least two independent clauses and
one or more dependent clauses. “Laura forgot her friend’s birthday, so she sent
her a card when she finally remembered.”
As mentioned, periodic, also known as interruptive, and loose, also known as
cumulative, are both types of complex sentences. But although both are complex, the
order of the independent and dependent clauses differentiates them. In periodic
sentences, the main point (independent clause) occurs at the end of the sentence, after
one or more side points (dependent clauses) lead up to the main point. Each of the
following periodic sentences includes several dependent clauses leading to the
independent clause at the end.
Periodic Sentence Examples:
"In the almost incredibly brief time which it took the small but sturdy porter to roll a milk-can across
the platform and bump it, with a clang, against other milk-cans similarly treated a moment before, Ashe
fell in love." (P.G. Wodehouse, Something Fresh, 1915)
“To believe your own thought, to believe that what is true for you in your private heart is true for all
men, that is genius." (Ralph Waldo Emerson, “Self-Reliance,” 1841)
"And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I
have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing." (I Cor. 13, KJB)
Loose sentences have a structure that is the opposite of periodic sentences. In loose
sentences, the independent clause is at the beginning, followed by one or more
dependent clauses.
Loose Sentence Examples:
“I found a large hall, obviously a former garage, dimly lit, and packed with cots.” (Eric Hoffer)
“I knew I had found a friend in the woman, who herself was a lonely soul, never having known
the love of man or child.” (Emma Goldman)
“We must be wary of conclusions drawn from the ways of the social insects, since their
evolutionary track lies so far from ours.” (Robert Ardrey)
These two kinds of complex sentences produce different effects. A periodic sentence
often produces a dramatic tension and suspense to the main point at the end of the
sentence. The dependent clauses that come before the independent clause serve to
stress the importance of the key idea. A loose sentence, in contrast, creates the effect
of immediacy and naturalness. English writers tend to use loose sentences much more
often than periodic ones.
During revision, pay attention to sentence structure. Using too many loose sentences
can be monotonous, while overusing periodic sentences lessens their rhetorical power.
Instead, use various sentence structures. Sometimes simpler sentences are truly
powerful. Most importantly, as you revise, read sentences out loud. By doing so,
awkward and/or unclear sentence structures come to light.
