midsentence

English

Alternative forms

• mid-sentence

Etymology

mid- +‎ sentence.

Adjective

midsentence (not comparable)

1. Occurring in the middle of a sentence.
   • 1998, Walter Kintsch, Comprehension: A Paradigm for Cognition, Cambridge, Cambs.: Cambridge University Press, →ISBN, page 230:

     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.

   • 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, →ISBN, part II (Annotated Text), part 4 (Style and Delivery of the Speech), page 287:

     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.

   • 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, →ISBN, page 130:

     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 . . .”

   • 2004, Robert K. Tanenbaum, chapter 25, in Hoax, New York, N.Y.: Atria Books, →ISBN, page 531:

     “You again,” Karp growled. He gestured to Guma, making hand signals to get a trace going on the call. Guma quit his midsentence comeback aimed at Stupenagel and hurried from the room.

   • 2018 January, Susan Mann, An Uncommon Honeymoon (A Librarian and the Spy Escapade), New York, N.Y.: Zebra Books, →ISBN, page 264:

     “Mr. Borovsky only makes deals through his—” Ovechkin broke off. Quinn’s brow lowered, puzzled by his midsentence stoppage.

Adverb

midsentence (not comparable)

1. In the middle of a sentence.
   • 2001, Sherwyn P. Morreale, Brian H. Spitzberg, J. Kevin Barge, Human Communication: Motivation, Knowledge, & Skills, Annotated Instructor’s Edition, Belmont, Calif.: Wadsworth/Thomson Learning, →ISBN, page 265:

     “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? […]”

   • 2016, John Clarkson, Bronx Requiem, New York, N.Y.: Minotaur Books, →ISBN, page 165:

     With Juju Jackson there was never a warning or an explanation. Jackson could pull a gun or a knife, shoot and maim someone midsentence during a conversation that seemed perfectly reasonable, even pleasant.

   • 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, →ISBN, page 112:

     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.

Noun

midsentence (uncountable)

1. The middle of a sentence.
   • 1990, Emily Ellison, The Picture Makers (G.K. Hall Large Print Book Series), Boston, Mass.: G. K. Hall & Co., published 1991, →ISBN, page 142:

     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.

   • 2003, John Lescroart, The First Law, New York, N.Y.: Dutton, →ISBN, page 190:

     He talked into the receiver. “Sure, I read all about it this morning. I wondered whether—” As he spoke, he reached out and pushed down on the button, breaking the connection in his midsentence.

   • 2007 April 4, Alan Riding, “New Work From a Writer Who Died in the Holocaust”, in New York Times‎^[1]:

     But the narrative broke off in midsentence.

   • 2007 October 11, Linda Greenhouse, “Case of Texas Murderer Engrosses Supreme Court”, in New York Times‎^[2]:

     Chief Justice Rehnquist was famous for cutting off lawyers in midsentence, even midsyllable, as soon as the red light on the lectern came on to signal that time was up.

   • 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., →ISBN, section “Arthurian Literature: Composition and Production”, footnote 42, page 203:

     Gerbert de Montreuil picks up in the midsentence of the Second Continuation, and Manessier writes the Third Continuation.

   • 2019, Stanley Corngold, “Philosophy as Psychology: Discovering the Mind, Volume 1, Kant, Goethe, and Hegel”, in Walter Kaufmann: Philosopher, Humanist, Heretic, Princeton, N.J., Woodstock, Oxon: Princeton University Press, →ISBN:

     He died, in the midsentence of his life, as these books were being published.