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TOOGE Posted 16 years ago
Grammar

Treediagrams for embedded sentences

I have been asked to analyze embedded sentences by means of a tree diagram and comment on the overall complexity? Can any one out there enlighten me as to the possible relevance this might have for a TESOL teacher taking a Diploma course?I teach Japanese students exclusively and they have enough problems with 'r' and 'l' sounds without delving into intellectual semantics. But if you can answer the question the following question I would really appreciate your input.

"How many embedded sentences are there in the following sentences?
1) Alice was just beginning to think to herself 'Now, what am I to do with this creature when I get it home? when it grunted again, so violently, that she looked down into its face in some alarm.
I would hazard a guess at 5. But the tree element?

2) This time there could be no mistake about it: it was neither more nor less than a pig, and she felt that it would be quite absurd for he to carry it any farther."

I'm setting my timer to see who will answer first - Alex Case, Scott Thornbury, David Nunan or a mere mortal EFL instructor.

"Can't see the wood for the" English teacher.

TOOGE
  

Top answer

Hello and welcome to the forum. Clause analysis by diagramming is often seen as an uneccesary nightmare, but it can have its uses in helping to understand sentence structure. A quick count-up tells me that there are five subordinate clauses in 1) and two in 2).

  • Hello and welcome to the forum.
  • Clause analysis by diagramming is often seen as an uneccesary nightmare, but it can have its uses in helping to understand sentence structure.
  • A quick count-up tells me that there are five subordinate clauses in 1) and two in 2).
  • It would be impossible to diagram the sentences here because of the software limitations.
  • BillJ
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3 Answers
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Hello and welcome to the forum.

Clause analysis by diagramming is often seen as an uneccesary nightmare, but it can have its uses in helping to understand sentence structure. A quick count-up tells me that there are five subordinate clauses in 1) and two in 2). It would be impossible to diagram the sentences here because of the software limitations.

BillJ
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BillJ

and what about the overall complexity of both sentences?

Are you sure the are 2 embedded sentences in sentences number two and not more?

thanks,

Celeste
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Dear Mr. Bill J

Can you just analyze the embedded sentences in any other way so we can better understand. Thank you.

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