By combining the discovery of SV, insertions and appositives, shared relations, and elliptical constructions studied so far, this integrated exercise practices taking apart a long sentence with multiple overlapping modifiers, of the kind that actually appears on highly competitive university entrance exams.
Basic Rules
Procedure for taking apart a long sentence (comprehensive):
① First glance through the sentence to the end and identify the positions of commas, dashes, and conjunctions to understand its general divisions.
② Put inserted and appositive phrases in parentheses and remove them temporarily.
③ From the remaining structure, first determine S and V (while placing modifiers in parentheses).
④ Confirm what relative clauses and participial phrases modify by checking their semantic compatibility with the noun immediately before them (they may sometimes modify a more distant noun).
⑤ If there is and/or/but, check whether a shared relation is operating.
⑥ If there are places where ellipsis is suspected (comparative constructions, omission of the subject in a subordinate clause, etc.), restore the omitted parts.
The ultimate goal is to perform these steps “simultaneously while reading from beginning to end,” but at first it is effective to practice breaking the sentence down and processing it in stages.
The theory, though widely accepted for decades, has recently been challenged by researchers who argue that the original data, collected under limited conditions, cannot support such a broad conclusion.
(The theory, although it has been widely accepted for decades, has recently been challenged by researchers who argue that the original data, collected under limited conditions, cannot support such a broad conclusion.)
Breakdown: S=The theory / insertion=though widely accepted for decades / V=has been challenged / by 〜 (agent) / who argue that 〜 (relative clause modifying researchers) / within the that-clause: S=the original data / insertion=collected under limited conditions / V=cannot support
Points to Note
① A sentence in a long passage often has a nested structure consisting of “the claim of the main clause” plus “a subordinate clause that supports or challenges it.” First determine the SV of the main clause, then understand how the subordinate clause relates to the main clause (reason, contrast, condition, etc.).
② Grammatically, a relative clause or participle generally modifies the noun immediately before it, but it may also modify a semantically distant noun (especially after a long insertion). Check the target of modification using both grammatical rules and meaning.
③ In underlined-translation questions on highly competitive university entrance exams, this integrated analysis must be completed within the time limit. During regular practice, carefully break sentences down without timing yourself; after becoming accustomed to this, move to continuous reading with time in mind. This two-stage training is effective.
④ It is not necessary to read everything perfectly at once. The trial-and-error process of “tentatively deciding on S, continuing to read, and revising the decision if a contradiction appears” itself supports accurate reading in actual exams.
- Procedure: identify divisions → remove insertions/appositives → determine SV → confirm the target of modification → check shared relations → restore ellipsis
- A sentence in a long passage often contains a nested structure of “main clause + subordinate clauses that support or challenge it”
- Determine the target of modification using both grammatical rules and meaning
- Build skill in two stages: precise analysis practice → continuous reading with time in mind
- Allow trial and error: make a tentative decision → revise it when you notice a contradiction
Practice
- Determine S and V in the following sentence and show the insertion in parentheses: The proposal, despite facing strong opposition from local residents, was eventually approved by the city council.
- Answer which noun who modifies in the following sentence: The article criticized the scientists who conducted the study for failing to disclose their funding sources.
- Organize and explain the procedure for taking apart a long sentence in five stages, using your own words.