Lecture 19: Parsing Complex Sentences with Connectives

19.1 What Is a Connective Word?

19.1.1 Three Common Types

Coordinating Conjunctions -> Compound sentences

Subordinating Conjunctions -> Adverbial clauses

because
if
while
although
as

Interrogative and Relative Words -> Noun clauses and relative clauses

what
who
whom
which
when
where
why
whether
whose

19.2 Segmenting Sentences at Connectors

19.2.1 Use of Conjunctions

Usage

1. Determine what the connective joins or introduces
A coordinating conjunction may join clauses, phrases, or words;
A subordinator or relative word introduces a subordinate clause;
2. Locate the boundary of each complete clause

Scope of Clauses

Concept:
Use punctuation, connective words, finite verb phrases, and nesting to determine where a clause begins and ends;
Three useful boundary clues:
1. Major punctuation may close a clause;
2. A new connective may introduce the next clause;
3. In a nested structure, return to the finite verb or complement that belongs to the containing clause;
Two common structures:
Type One: A chain of coordinate or sequential clauses
Boundaries are often signaled by punctuation and connectives;
sentence 1 + conjunction/punctuation + sentence 2 + conjunction/punctuation + sentence 3...
Type Two: A main clause containing an embedded clause
sentence 1:##### (sentence 2&&&&&)####
End position: 3
Separate the embedded clause while keeping the containing clause's core subject–finite verb structure intact;
A proposed segment is normally a clause only if it contains, or is understood to share, an appropriate finite verb phrase;
Supplement 1:
Two cautions for coordinating conjunctions:
1. A coordinating conjunction at the beginning may link the sentence to the preceding discourse rather than mark an internal clause boundary;
2. If the material after a conjunction is not an independent clause, treat it as a coordinated phrase or as an elliptical clause sharing an element;
Supplement 2:
If a connective joins words or phrases rather than clauses, do not create a clause boundary there;

Supplement: About verbs ending in $-ed$

Past tense form -> may be a finite verb;
Past participle -> may be part of a perfect/passive finite phrase or a non-finite modifier;
Method:
Check auxiliaries, subject agreement, and clause structure rather than relying only on active/passive meaning;
We used the car for 2 years.
A lone participle modifying a noun is non-finite;
This is a used car.

19.2.2 Segmenting at Punctuation and Connectives

Examples

One of the reasons why the appointment came as such a surprise, however, is that Gilbert is comparatively little known.
Preparation: count the finite verb phrases;
Do not count a non-finite form as a separate finite verb;
Finite verb: tense, modality, voice, and negation;
Step 1: Find the finite verb
One of the reasons why the appointment came as such a surprise, however, is that Gilbert is comparatively little known.
Note: is ... known is one passive finite verb phrase;
Step 2: Find the connective word
why、that
One of the reasons why the appointment came as such a surprise, however, is that Gilbert is comparatively little known.
After separation:
Look at the main clause first, then the clause
One of the reasons why…, however, is that….
Why the appointment came as such a surprise, however
That Gilbert is comparatively little known.
The digital services tax now awaits the signature of President Emmanuel Macron, who has expressed support for the measure. And it could go into effect within the next few weeks.
Finite verbs: awaits, has expressed, could go
Two conjunctions: , who and , and
The digital services tax now awaits the signature of President Emmanuel Macron, who… . And…
Who has expressed support for the measure.
And it could go into effect within the next few weeks.
Some species of trees have been “read out of the party” by economics-minded foresters because they grow too slowly, or have too low a sale value to pay as timber crops.
Note: or coordinates two predicates inside the same because-clause rather than introducing a new independent clause;
Sentence 1: Some species of trees have been "read out of the party" by economics-minded foresters because..., or...
Sentence 2: Because they grow too slowly, or have too low a sale value to pay as timber crops.
grow too slowly and have too low a sale value share the subject they;
Today they argue that market prices overstate losses, because they largely reflect the temporary illiquidity of markets, not the likely extent of bad debts.
Finite verbs: argue, overstate, reflect
Punctuation: The first comma is useful, the second is not, because there is no finite verb at the end;
Connectives: that, because;
Break into three sections;
Today they argue that…, because…
that market prices overstate losses,
Because they largely reflect the temporary illiquidity of markets, not the likely extent of bad debts
But take a longer view and there is a surprising amount that we can say with considerable assurance.
Finite verbs: take, is, can say
Connectives: but, and, that; initial but links this sentence to the preceding discourse;
It is meaningful, but it does not introduce an internal subordinate clause;
But take a longer view and… that..
And there is a surprising amount
That we can say with considerable assurance.
Now the nation's top patent court appears completely ready to scale back on business-method patents, which have been controversial ever since they were first authorized 10 years ago.
Now the nation's top patent court appears completely ready to scale back on business-method patents, which... Ever since…..
Which have been controversial
Ever since they were first authorized 10 years ago.
The principle of British welfare is no longer that you can insure yourself against the risk of unemployment and receive unconditional payments if the disaster happens.
is、can insure、receive、happens
There are four finite verbs, but insure and receive are coordinated base forms sharing the modal can, so do not split them into separate clauses;
that、and、if
The principle of British welfare is no longer that.. If...
That you can insure yourself against the risk of unemployment and receive unconditional payments
if the disaster happens.
In the idealized version of how science is done, facts about the world are waiting to be observed and collected by objective researchers who use the scientific method to carry out their work.
Main clause: facts about the world are waiting to be observed and collected by objective researchers.
how science is done: embedded interrogative clause complementing version of;
who use the scientific method to carry out their work: relative clause modifying researchers;

19.2.3 Segmenting at Connectors: Locate Complete Finite Clauses

Examples

The hardest task that television asks of anyone is to turn the power off after he has turned it on.
Definite finite verbs: asks, is, has turned
First break: Break according to the connective word
The hardest task
that television asks of anyone is to turn the power off
after he has turned it on
This segmentation fails because The hardest task is only a noun phrase, not a complete clause;
Keep the main clause together: The hardest task ... is to turn the power off. Set aside the two subordinate clauses introduced by that and after;
Second break: Find the second finite verb
The hardest task ... Is to turn the power off...
that television asks of anyone
after he has turned it on
Until now, many sellers that have a physical presence in only a single state or a few states have been able to avoid charging sales taxes when they ship to addresses outside those states
Second, the majority of people who use networked computers to upload are not even aware of the significance of what they are doing.
Second, the majority of people ... Are not even aware of the significance of
who use networked computers to upload
what they are doing.