A cadence that ends on the dominant chord is called a

• A. Half Cadence
• B. Plagal Cadence
• C. Authentic Cadence
• D. Deceptive Cadence

Answer: (A)

Ending on the dominant creates a sense of open-endedness because the V chord carries strong tension that wants to resolve to I, but stopping there leaves the phrase unfinished. This unresolved pull is what defines a half cadence. For example, in C major, a progression that ends on G major feels like it’s setting up the next move rather than delivering final closure—the ear expects resolution to C major next. Other cadences resolve to tonic or move to a different, more settled function (like IV to I, or V to vi), so they don’t produce that same sense of anticipation and pause.