Enjambment Examples

Enjambment is when a sentence, phrase, or thought does not end with the line of poetry. Rather, it carries over to the next line. Typically, enjambed lines of poetry do not have punctuation marks at the end. Poets use enjambment for many reasons, including to cause breaks in rhythm and rate of reading, or to move the reader through a complete thought without attention to the breaks that would seem natural due to rhythm.

1. "The holy time is quiet as a Nun

Breathless with adoration; the broad sun

Is sinking down in its tranquility;" Wordsworth, "Beauteous Evening"

2. "A thing of beauty is a joy forever:

Its loveliness increases; it will never

Pass into nothingness but still will keep

A bower quiet for us, and asleep

Full of sweet dreams, and health, and quiet breathing." Keats, "Endymion"

3. "And Janekyn oure clerk was oon of tho.

As help me God, whan that I saugh him go

After the beere, me thoughte he had a paire

Of legges and of feet so clene and faire

That all mine herte I yaf unto his hoold." Chaucer, The Canterbury Tales

4. "And for the peace of you I hold such strive

As 'twixt a miser and his wealth is found;

Now proud as an enjoyer and anon

Doubting the filching age will steal his treasure." Shakespeare, Sonnet 75

5. "I think that I shall never see

A poem as lovely as a tree." Kilmer, "Trees"