Lecture 18: Parsing Complex Sentences with Punctuation

18.0 Introduction

How to Analyze Long and Complex Sentences

Analysis of Long and Complex Sentences

Principle:
$$\text{ Complex sentences (multiple sentences, many matters). }) \quad-(\text{ Cut off })->\quad \text{ Simple sentences (one sentence, one matter }) \quad-(\text{ Simplify })->\quad \text{ The core of a simple sentence (the core content of a thing). })$$

Core: How to Segment the Sentence

Three Types of Punctuation

Comma

Concept:
Usually, commas do not appear alone; they often appear together after adding a conjunction;
Note:
1. Exceptions -> listed together, and may be replaced with a comma to appear alone;
2. Prerequisite for using punctuation: the sentence must be connected, not the conjunction; commas in conjunctions must not indicate breaks;

Examples

The idea is intuitively compelling, but it doesn't explain how ideas actually spread.
Comma + but: but is a conjunction indicating a transition;
First break: Break with a comma
1. The idea is intuitively compelling
2. but it doesn't explain how ideas actually spread.
Here are also finite verbs;
Can be broken again by the conjunction HOW;
Second segmentation:
1. The idea is intuitively compelling
2. but it doesn't explain
3. how ideas actually spread.
Among 2, 3 is included as an object clause to explain explain;

Colander

Meaning:
Chinese: Someone Says;
English: Further explanation;
Concept:
1. The colon generally does not require a conjunction and can be used as a conjunction on its own;
2. Indicates an explanation of the previous content;

Examples

It's hard to imagine that many people are dumb enough to want children just because Reese and Angelina make it look so glamorous: most adults understand that a baby is not a haircut.
There is a colon, so at least it can be divided into two sentences;
First segmentation:
1. It's hard to imagine that many people are dumb enough to want children just because Reese and Angelina make it look so glamorous:
2. most adults understand that a baby is not a haircut.
The core of an event is the finite verb, so you can currently count the finite verbs and know how many things are being discussed;
Five finite verbs, so they can be broken into five segments;
Second break: according to the connective word
1. It's hard to imagine
'it' points to 'to imagine', with 'to imagine' as the subject;
2. that many people are dumb enough to want children just
Object clause, indicating to imagine;
just: modify because;
3. because Reese and Angelina make it look so glamorous:
Adverbial clause of reason;
4. most adults understand
Content after the colon indicates further explanation
5. that a baby is not a haircut

Semicolon

Examples

Moreover, average overall margins are higher in wholesale than in retail; wholesale demand from the food service sector is growing quickly as more Europeans eat out more often; and changes in the competitive dynamics of this fragmented industry are at last making it feasible for wholesalers to consolidate.
Break based on semicolons;
First segmentation:
1. Moreover, average overall margins are higher in wholesale than in retail
moreover: indicates progressive expression, such as the first point, second point, third point...
2. wholesale demand from the food service sector is growing quickly as more Europeans eat out more often
as: Introduces the reason: Europeans are eating out more often;
3. and changes in the competitive dynamics of this fragmented industry are at last making it feasible for wholesalers to consolidate
The sentence is very long. You can find how many finite verbs there are;
The only finite verb -> are... Making；
Reasons for long sentences -> prepositional phrase connections
Analysis:
Short sentence: changes are making it feasible to consolidate
Preposition: of this fragmented industry in a fragmented market
Preposition: in the competitive dynamics of this fragmented industry In this fragmented competitive market;
Preposition: it feasible for wholesalers to consolidate