Understanding the structure of complex sentences in English can sometimes be tricky, especially when it involves clauses and connectors like ‘who,’ ‘as,’ and ‘because.’ In this article, we will break down the sentence ‘Thus it always clashes with the ideas of the younger generation who have impatience with and contempt for such conservatism, particularly as their elders can seldom explain clearly why they oppose novelty,’ and clarify why option ② is the correct interpretation over option ①.
Understanding the Sentence Structure
The sentence in question involves a main clause and a relative clause introduced by ‘who.’ To understand why option ② is correct, it is crucial to analyze the role of the relative clause ‘who have impatience with and contempt for such conservatism.’ This clause refers directly to ‘the younger generation’ and explains their feelings toward conservatism, which is the main subject of the sentence.
In addition, the connector ‘as’ in the sentence introduces a reason why the younger generation has contempt for conservatism: their elders cannot clearly explain why they oppose novelty. The confusion arises when interpreting which part of the sentence ‘as’ is supposed to explain, and how the clauses interact.
Breaking Down Option ① and Why It’s Incorrect
Option ① incorrectly places ‘as’ in the wrong relationship within the sentence structure. It suggests that ‘as their elders can seldom explain clearly why they oppose novelty’ is the reason why ‘the second wisdom always clashes with the ideas of the younger generation.’ However, this is not the case. The role of ‘as’ is not to explain why the second wisdom clashes, but rather to explain why the younger generation opposes conservatism in the first place. In other words, ‘as’ connects the younger generation’s feelings to their elders’ inability to explain their opposition to novelty.
Correct Interpretation: Why Option ② is Right
Option ② correctly places the explanation in context. It shows that the second wisdom (the conservatism) clashes with the ideas of the younger generation, who are frustrated with and disdainful of such conservatism. The ‘as’ clause then explains why the younger generation feels this way: their elders cannot articulate why they oppose new ideas. This interpretation keeps the logical flow intact, making option ② the accurate choice.
By reading the sentence this way, we understand that the ‘second wisdom’ and the ‘ideas of the younger generation’ are in conflict because the younger generation cannot relate to the conservative views of their elders, especially when those views are not clearly explained. The sentence structure helps us see that the relationship between ideas and actions is nuanced, not merely causal.
Key Grammar Points to Remember
When interpreting sentences with multiple clauses, it’s essential to pay attention to how connectors like ‘who’ and ‘as’ function. In this sentence, ‘who’ introduces a relative clause that refers to ‘the younger generation,’ while ‘as’ connects a cause to their feelings about conservatism.
Remember, in sentences like these, the relative clause must be placed close to the noun it modifies—in this case, ‘the younger generation.’ This keeps the sentence’s meaning clear and accurate. Always make sure to track how each clause interacts and what each connector is explaining to avoid misinterpretation.
Conclusion
Understanding complex sentence structures in English requires careful attention to the function of relative clauses and connectors. In this example, option ② correctly interprets the relationship between the ideas of the younger generation and their opposition to conservatism. By breaking down the sentence, we can see why option ① was a misunderstanding of the connector ‘as.’ With this explanation, you can better approach similar sentences and analyze their structure effectively.
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