Repeatedlywithout

Repeatedlywithout is a term used in literary analysis to describe a repetition pattern in which a key element is repeated without its usual following element in successive instances. The device emphasizes rhythm, urgency, or omission by leaving the expected continuation unstated. The term is a portmanteau of “repeatedly” and “without,” highlighting the core feature: repetition without completion.

Origins and usage of the term began in modern stylistics as a descriptive label for patterns that foreground repetition itself rather than its typical continuation. It has appeared in discussions of rhythm, ellipsis, and syntax in the 2010s. It is not standardized across the field and is often used alongside related concepts such as ellipsis, asyndeton, and anaphora.

In practice, repeatedlywithout can produce a distinct, staccato cadence in poetry and prose and focus attention on the act of repetition. It can heighten suspense, suggest unfinished intent, or reflect a character’s interrupted thought. Typically, the repeated verb or clause lacks an explicit object or following clause on each iteration, as in: “Run, run, run” or “Wait, wait, wait.” A later line may supply the missing continuation, creating a contrast between repetition and closure. In a narrative fragment, repeatedlywithout may appear as a motif marking a character’s escalating frustration. Poets may employ it to build rhythm, while prose may use it to convey hesitation or ritual. See also ellipsis, repetition, and anaphora.