extraposition

[ ek-struh-puh-zish-uh n ]
/ ˌɛk strə pəˈzɪʃ ən /

noun Linguistics.

a rule of transformational grammar that shifts a subordinate or modifying clause to the end of a sentence, as in changing That you sign the paper is necessary to It is necessary that you sign the paper.

Origin of extraposition

1925–30; extra- + position; apparently coined by Otto Jespersen

Words nearby extraposition

extraphysiologic, extraplanetary, extrapolate, extrapolation, extrapose, extraposition, extraprofessional, extrapyramidal, extrapyramidal dyskinesia, extrapyramidal motor system, extrapyramidal system

British Dictionary definitions for extraposition

extraposition
/ (ˌɛkstrəpəˈzɪʃən) /

noun

placement of something outside something else
transformational grammar a rule that moves embedded clauses out to the end of the main clause, converting, for example, A man who will help has just arrived into A man has just arrived who will help