Definition & Meaning of "cumulative sentence"

What is a "cumulative sentence"?

A cumulative sentence, also known as a loose sentence, is a type of sentence that begins with a main clause followed by additional phrases or clauses that add detail and expand on the initial idea. This structure allows for the main point to be stated early in the sentence, with further information building upon it. For example, in the sentence "The dog barked loudly, and its tail wagged excitedly as it ran around the yard," the main clause is "The dog barked loudly," while the additional details about the tail and its actions elaborate on the initial statement. Cumulative sentences are useful for creating a flowing, conversational style and for providing a rich context without needing to rely on more complex sentence structures.