The Greeks assumed that the structure of language had some connection with the process of thought, which took root in Europe long before people realized how diverse languages could be.
首先我们来划分一下这个句子:
(1)The Greeks assumed that the structure of language had some connection with the process of thought;
(2)the structure of language had some connection with the process of thought;
(3)which (the structure of language had some connection with the process of thought)took root in Europe long;
(4)before people realized(how diverse languages could be) ;
(5)how diverse languages could be;
在五个小句中,各有一个谓语动词以保证句子的完整度,分别为:assumed,had,took root in,realized及 could be,如果考生在选取谓语动词时有困难的话,就会想一下在之前的文章中我们所提到的就如何从复杂的英语句子中去选取谓语动词;接下来,考生来看一下,既然划分出五个句子,也就意味着在这个长难句中嵌套了4个从句或小句:
主句 The Greeks // assumed // 宾语从句that 从句的主句the structure of / language // had some connection with // the process of / thought, // 定语从句which // took root in Europe // 时间状语从句long before // people // realized // 宾语从句how diverse // languages // could be.