Which term describes a line that continues onto the next line without a pause?

• A. End-stopped
• B. Caesura
• C. Enjambment
• D. Meter

Answer: (C)

Enjambment happens when a sentence or clause runs over from one line to the next without a pause. This keeps the sense moving forward into the next line, creating momentum and often putting emphasis on the continuation or the next bit of thought.

Think about how end-stopped lines work: a line ends with a natural pause, usually marked by punctuation, so the thought feels complete at the line break. That’s the opposite of enjambment. A caesura is a deliberate pause within a line itself, not at the line boundary. Meter is about the pattern of rhythm and stress in the verse, not specifically about whether the line’s meaning spills over to the next line.

So when the line flows into the next line without a pause, that’s enjambment.