Enkliitti

Enkliitti is a term used in linguistics to refer to a word that is phonologically dependent on another word, usually preceding it, and often forms a single stress group with it. Enclitics are unstressed and are attached to a host word, meaning they cannot stand alone grammatically or phonetically. They are often described as clitics that lean on a preceding word.

Examples of enclitics can be found in many languages. In English, for instance, contractions like "don't" (do not) and "isn't" (is not) involve enclitic forms of "do" and "is" that have become attached to the preceding word. Similarly, possessive 's can be considered an enclitic. In some languages, enclitics are grammatical particles or pronouns that attach to the end of a verb or noun. For example, in some Slavic languages, personal pronouns can function as enclitics.

The concept of enclisis is distinct from that of proclisis, where a clitic attaches to the beginning of a word. Enclitics are a common feature of grammatical structure across diverse language families and play a role in the phonological and morphological organization of utterances. Their presence can sometimes affect the stress patterns of the host word or the overall rhythm of speech. The analysis of enclitics is an important area within phonology, morphology, and syntax.