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What's the word for repeating the same word at the beginning of successive clauses?
The word you're looking for
Anaphora is the repetition of the same word or phrase at the start of successive clauses or sentences. It fits your clue exactly and is the standard rhetorical term.
Other words that fit
Use this when the repeated word appears at the end of successive clauses, not the beginning.
This is the general term, but it is less specific than anaphora.
Use this when the clauses have a similar structure, even without repeated opening words.
Use this for repeated starting sounds, not repeated words.
Why this word
Anaphora is a common rhetorical device in speeches, poetry, and writing. It means beginning several clauses or sentences with the same word or phrase. People sometimes confuse it with repetition in general, but anaphora is more specific. It is also different from epistrophe, which repeats words at the end.
In context
- We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds.
- I came, I saw, I conquered.
- She is brave, she is kind, she is strong.
Other concepts to find a word for
Frequently asked questions
- Is anaphora the same as repetition?
- Anaphora is a kind of repetition. It repeats the same word or phrase at the start of clauses.
- What is the difference between anaphora and epistrophe?
- Anaphora repeats at the beginning. Epistrophe repeats at the end.
- Can anaphora be one word or a phrase?
- Yes. It can be a single word or a longer phrase repeated at the start.