Who said “Words and sentences are subject to revision; paragraphs and whole compositions are…”?

Verified

Barrett Wendell. A published source records them saying or writing it.

SourceEnglish Composition: Eight Lectures Given at the Lowell Institute (1891), p. 117

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“Words and sentences are subject to revision; paragraphs and whole compositions are subjects of prevision.”
— Barrett Wendell
VerifiedEnglish Composition: Eight Lectures Given at the Lowell Institute (1891), p. 117 · evidenceEditing and Editors

Cite this quote

For academic work, cite the original where you can: English Composition: Eight Lectures Given at the Lowell Institute (1891), p. 117.

APA

Wendell, B. (n.d.). Words and sentences are subject to revision; paragraphs and whole compositions are subjects of prevision. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/14169-words-and-sentences-are-subject-to-revision-paragraphs/

MLA

Wendell, Barrett. “Words and sentences are subject to revision; paragraphs and whole compositions are subjects of prevision.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/14169-words-and-sentences-are-subject-to-revision-paragraphs/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Wendell, Barrett. “Words and sentences are subject to revision; paragraphs and whole compositions are subjects of prevision.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/14169-words-and-sentences-are-subject-to-revision-paragraphs/.

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