Definition of "midsentence"
midsentence
adjective
not comparable
Occurring in the middle of a sentence.
Quotations
In neither case was there an effect on comprehension as measured by the subjects’ free recall. Subjects recalled as much with midsentence interruptions as with end-of-sentence interruptions as with no interruptions at all.
1998, Walter Kintsch, Comprehension: A Paradigm for Cognition, Cambridge, Cambs.: Cambridge University Press, page 230
Instead of pausing after each sentence, Dr. King stopped briefly after each refrain of “Let freedom ring,” building intensity and creating the musical effect of a crescendo. His midsentence pauses emphasized the repeating pattern in his examples and let the audience know what to expect next.
1999, David Zarefsky, “Presenting the Speech”, in Robert Alan Brookey, Annotated Instructor’s Manual for David Zarefsky’s Public Speaking: Strategies for Success, 2nd edition, Needham Heights, Mass.: Allyn & Bacon, part II (Annotated Text), part 4 (Style and Delivery of the Speech), page 287
Paul carefully safeguards the priority of divine initiative over human efforts to come into relationship with God. Perhaps the most striking illustration of this is his midsentence self-correction in 4:9: “Now, however, that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God . .”
2002, Richard B[evan] Hays, “The God of Mercy Who Rescues Us from the Present Evil Age: Romans and Galatians”, in A. Andrew Das, Frank J. Matera, editors, The Forgotten God: Perspectives in Biblical Theology: Essays in Honor of Paul J. Achtemeier on the Occasion of his Seventy-fifth Birthday, Louisville, Ky.: Westminster John Knox Press, page 130
adverb
not comparable
Quotations
“At least I believe in something! You’re nothing but a typical godless American with no values and . .” Chad interrupted midsentence: “You don’t like the way I am? […]”
2001, Sherwyn P. Morreale, Brian H. Spitzberg, J. Kevin Barge, Human Communication: Motivation, Knowledge, & Skills, Annotated Instructor’s Edition, Belmont, Calif.: Wadsworth/Thomson Learning, page 265
Stop someone midsentence if he or she is in your presence or write if he or she is not. These throwaway lines about age are detrimental and damaging.
2018, Alan Weiss, “Forgiveness Is Not Easier Than Simply Appropriating Permission”, in Threescore and More: Applying the Assets of Maturity, Wisdom, and Experience for Personal and Professional Success, New York, N.Y.: Bibliomotion, Inc./Routledge, page 112
noun
uncountable
Quotations
I mean this man starts his day with both feet moving, without a dab of anxiety, with him saying, “Okay, ready!” He can fall asleep in midsentence, in his midsentence, and then go without a toss or a tumble or a single concern for the next seven hours.
1990, Emily Ellison, The Picture Makers (G.K. Hall Large Print Book Series), Boston, Mass.: G. K. Hall & Co., published 1991, page 142
Gerbert de Montreuil picks up in the midsentence of the Second Continuation, and Manessier writes the Third Continuation.
2010, Anita Obermeier, “The Rhetoric of Symbolism: The Grail of Fertility and Sterility”, in Georgiana Donavin, Anita Obermeier, editors, Romance and Rhetoric: Essays in Honour of Dhira B. Mahoney (Disputatio; 19), Turnhout: Brepols Publishers n.v., section “Arthurian Literature: Composition and Production”, footnote 42, page 203