apodosis: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2 (Very Low Frequency / Technical)Formal, Academic, Technical (Linguistics, Logic, Rhetoric)
Quick answer
What does “apodosis” mean?
The main (consequent) clause in a conditional sentence.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The main (consequent) clause in a conditional sentence; the part that states the result.
In logic, grammar, and rhetoric: the concluding clause of a conditional proposition, following the 'if' clause (protasis). It expresses the outcome or consequence.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or use. The term is confined to identical academic/technical registers in both varieties.
Connotations
Purely technical, with no regional or cultural connotations.
Frequency
Extremely rare in both varieties, used only by specialists.
Grammar
How to Use “apodosis” in a Sentence
The [sentence/clause] consists of a protasis and an apodosis.In the conditional 'If P, then Q', 'Q' is the apodosis.Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Never used.
Academic
Used in advanced linguistics, philosophy of language, logic, and classical studies to analyse conditional sentences.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
The primary context. Used precisely to describe the structure of conditional statements.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “apodosis”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “apodosis”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “apodosis”
- Using it to refer to any main clause (it's specific to conditionals).
- Confusing it with 'apodixis' (demonstration).
- Pronouncing it with stress on the first syllable (/ˈæpədəsɪs/).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a highly technical term used only in linguistics, logic, and related academic fields.
The opposite is 'protasis', which is the conditional 'if' clause.
No, by definition, an apodosis is the consequent clause in a conditional structure. It logically depends on the existence of a preceding protasis (stated or implied).
In British English: /əˈpɒdəsɪs/ (uh-POD-uh-sis). In American English: /əˈpɑːdəsɪs/ (uh-PAH-duh-sis). The stress is on the second syllable.
The main (consequent) clause in a conditional sentence.
Apodosis is usually formal, academic, technical (linguistics, logic, rhetoric) in register.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: APO-dosis comes AFTER the condition. APO- can mean 'away from' or 'after', so it's the part that comes after the 'if'.
Conceptual Metaphor
A CONDITIONAL STATEMENT IS A CONTRACT (The protasis sets the terms; the apodosis is the obligated result).
Practice
Quiz
In the sentence 'Had I known, I would have helped', which part is the apodosis?