How can I understand this sentence structure?
This is an excerpt from a book:
"By the CATAPHORIC use of 'the' may be understood the use of the definite article in a context where what follows the head noun, rather than what precedes it, enables us to pinpoint the reference uniquely."
I think the verb of the main clause is "enables", but I can't figure out the subject of it.
Could you tell me, please?
Top answer
Takehisa Tanaka By the CATAPHORIC use of 'the' may be understood the use of the definite article in a context where what follows the head noun, rather than what precedes it, enables us to pinpoint the reference uniquely. Thank you, Tanaka-san—that is a word I have been looking for. It is a response to a question that many students ask.
- Takehisa Tanaka By the CATAPHORIC use of 'the' may be understood the use of the definite article in a context where what follows the head noun, rather than what precedes it, enables us to pinpoint the reference uniquely.
- Thank you, Tanaka-san—that is a word I have been looking for.
- It is a response to a question that many students ask.
- Takehisa Tanaka I think the verb of the main clause is "enables", It is actually the verb of the dependent clause beginning with 'where what'.
- Could you tell me, please?
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Takehisa TanakaBy the CATAPHORIC use of 'the' may be understood the use of the definite article in a context where what follows the head noun, rather than what precedes it, enables us to pinpoint the reference uniquely.
Thank you, Tanaka-san—that is a word I have been looking for. It is a response to a question that many students ask.
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