英语中常见的长句子结构有哪些?
What day it is today is indeed a classic example of a complex sentence in English! In this case, we're using a main clause as part of another clause, creating a more intricate and layered structure. From clauses are essentially dependent sentences within a larger sentence. They depend on something else (a noun phrase) for their meaning or grammatical function. This concept is particularly important in English syntax and grammar. Subordinate Clauses:
- Noun Phrase "the day" - serves as the subject of the main clause.
- Relative Clause "it is" - describes the day being referred to.
- Adverbial Clause "is today" - provides additional information about when the day is occurring.
In English, there are three main types of subordinate clauses:
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Noun Phrases:
- Subject: "The day"
- Predicate: "is today"
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Relative Clauses:
- Subject: "It"
- Predicate: "is"
- Additional Information: "today"
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Adverbial Clauses:
- Subject: "If"
- Predicate: "he comes tomorrow"
- Purpose: "you will see him"
To further illustrate the use of these clauses, here's an example sentence with all three types integrated:
- When the weather turns colder, I often wear warm clothes. Here, when is an adverbial clause functioning as the time indicator; I is the subject performing the action; and often is an adverb describing how frequently the action occurs.
In summary, understanding the nuances between main clauses and subordinate clauses is crucial for writing effective and coherent sentences in English. It helps in structuring complex ideas clearly and concisely.