* Subject: "They" - This is a pronoun that refers to a group of people.
* Verb: "know" - This is a present tense verb indicating the action of understanding something.
* Direct Object: "that" - This is a conjunction introducing a subordinate clause, acting as the object of "know."
* Subordinate Clause: "too much complexity leaves open many avenues down which negotiation might meander to its demise"
* Subject: "complexity" - This is a noun referring to the state of being intricate or difficult.
* Verb: "leaves" - This is a present tense verb indicating the action of making something accessible.
* Object: "open" - This is an adjective describing the state of "avenues."
* Object: "many avenues" - This is a noun phrase referring to numerous paths or options.
* Prepositional Phrase: "down which negotiation might meander"
* Preposition: "down" - This word indicates direction.
* Object of Preposition: "which negotiation might meander" - This is a relative clause describing the avenues.
* Relative Pronoun: "which" - This word refers back to "avenues."
* Subject: "negotiation" - This is a noun referring to the process of discussion.
* Verb: "might meander" - This is a modal verb ("might") followed by the verb "meander" suggesting a possibility of wandering aimlessly.
* Prepositional Phrase: "to its demise" - This phrase indicates the eventual end of the negotiation.
* Preposition: "to" - This word indicates direction.
* Object of Preposition: "its demise" - This noun phrase refers to the downfall or end of the negotiation.
Overall structure:
The sentence is a complex sentence with a main clause ("They know that...") and a subordinate clause ("too much complexity leaves open many avenues..."). The subordinate clause is a complex sentence itself, containing multiple prepositional phrases and a relative clause.
Key features:
* Relative clause: "which negotiation might meander" is a relative clause that provides additional information about the avenues.
* Modal verb: "might" in the relative clause suggests a possibility.
* Prepositional phrases: "down which," "to its demise" provide context and direction.
* Figurative language: "meander to its demise" creates a vivid image of the negotiation potentially becoming lost and ultimately failing.