In English grammar, understanding sentence structure can sometimes be challenging, especially when encountering sentences with complex constructions. One such example is the sentence: ‘Among man’s many accomplishments is his making of dictionaries.’ This sentence raises questions about the structure of the phrase ‘his making of dictionaries,’ and whether it follows the usual structure of ‘make A of B.’
1. Breakdown of the Sentence
In this sentence, ‘Among man’s many accomplishments’ functions as a prepositional phrase introducing the context. The subject of the sentence is ‘his making of dictionaries,’ where ‘his’ is a possessive pronoun referring to ‘man,’ and ‘making of dictionaries’ is the noun phrase that acts as the subject. The structure is indeed unconventional compared to the standard ‘make A of B’ structure, but it is grammatically correct.
The phrase ‘making of dictionaries’ refers to the act of making dictionaries, and it uses the gerund form of the verb ‘make.’ In this case, ‘making’ is treated as a noun, and ‘of dictionaries’ further defines what is being made.
2. The Use of the Gerund ‘Making’
When we say ‘his making of dictionaries,’ we are dealing with a noun phrase where ‘making’ is a gerund (a verb acting as a noun). In English, gerunds are often used to describe actions or processes, and the phrase ‘his making of dictionaries’ is an example of this. While the structure may initially seem unfamiliar, it is a valid and common construction in English.
In contrast, the sentence ‘make A of B’ follows a different pattern, where ‘A’ and ‘B’ are usually nouns or noun phrases, but the verb ‘make’ is not used as a gerund in this construction.
3. The Importance of Context in Sentence Structure
Understanding sentence structure is about recognizing how different grammatical components work together. In the sentence ‘Among man’s many accomplishments is his making of dictionaries,’ the focus is on the act of creating dictionaries, which is categorized as one of man’s significant achievements. This context helps explain why ‘making of dictionaries’ is appropriate and understandable.
In summary, while ‘make A of B’ is a common structure, sentences like ‘his making of dictionaries’ demonstrate how English can adapt to convey complex ideas in different ways.
4. Common Confusions with Gerunds and Noun Phrases
One of the most common points of confusion when studying sentence structure is how gerunds are used. They can often look like verbs but function as nouns in a sentence. This distinction is crucial to understanding sentences like the one in question, where ‘making’ serves as the subject of the sentence, not a verb.
If you are learning English grammar, it’s helpful to practice identifying gerunds and understanding their role in different types of sentences. Recognizing these structures will help you become more comfortable with complex sentence constructions.
5. Conclusion: Clarifying the Sentence Structure
The sentence ‘Among man’s many accomplishments is his making of dictionaries’ is grammatically correct, and its structure may initially seem puzzling but is based on the proper use of a gerund phrase as the subject. By understanding the role of gerunds and noun phrases, you can better interpret sentences that involve complex actions or processes. This sentence is a fine example of how English uses diverse structures to express ideas clearly and effectively.
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