What does sententially mean?
Sententially is an uncommon formal adverb meaning “with reference to sentences” or “in a sentence-related way.” It is especially useful in grammar, editing, and literary analysis when attention is directed to how a passage is divided into complete statements rather than to its overall style or subject. Used carefully, it can distinguish a problem of sentence construction from a problem of diction or narrative structure. For example, a reviewer might say that a paragraph is weak “sententially” because each sentence carries several competing clauses, rather than because its vocabulary is unoriginal. In ordinary discussion, however, the phrase sounds specialized and may sound cumbersome to many speakers. Clearer alternatives such as “in terms of sentences” or “at the sentence level” are often preferable. The word's principal value is precision: it names a specific grammatical level of analysis that broader terms such as “style” can obscure.
adverbWith reference to a sentence, especially its grammatical construction; in a sentence-related manner.
- With reference to a sentence or to sentences, especially their grammatical construction and organization.
"The editor revised the passage sententially, checking that each proposed sentence conveyed one complete thought."
"The two versions differ more sententially than stylistically: one uses fewer clauses in each sentence."
"The critic's objection was sententially technical, concerned with clause structure rather than imagery."
Forget word salad: sententially is the specialist term for examining writing one sentence at a time.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does sententially come from?
Sententially was formed in English by adding the adverbial suffix -ly to sentential. The adjective sentential comes through Medieval Latin sententialis, meaning “of or relating to a sentence,” from Latin sententia, meaning “sentence” or “opinion,” which in turn derives from sentire, “to perceive” or “feel.” English cognates include sentence, sentiment, and sententious.
How sententially is actually used
This is a rare, formal word used chiefly in grammar, editing, and literary analysis. In less specialized prose, alternatives such as “in terms of sentences” or “at the sentence level” will usually sound more natural.
Easily confused with sententially
Sententially is an adverb meaning “with reference to sentences,” whereas sentential is an adjective describing something connected with a sentence.
Sententially refers to grammatical structure or the writing of sentences, whereas sententious describes writing that is bombastic, moralistic, or given to striking-sounding aphorisms.