sentence structureII

[Joe]

We've been hearing a lot of chatter in cell phones lately, and although we really don't understand exactly what it is they are saying, the way they were grunting and laughing, we think they are preparing for a huge attack."

Is it grammatically OK? The blue part looks like a "separated island" in the whole sentence. Maybe we should put a "given/judging from" before the blue part. What do your think, dear teachers?
:wink:

 

[RonBee]

It's perfectly fine. It's ordinary English. Examples:

• The way he was smiling, it looked like he was hiding something.

Or:

• The way he was smiling, it looked like he was trying to keep a secret.

 

[MikeNewYork]

We've been hearing a lot of chatter in cell phones lately, and although we really don't understand exactly what it is they are saying, the way they were grunting and laughing, we think they are preparing for a huge attack."

Is it grammatically OK? The blue part looks like a "separated island" in the whole sentence. Maybe we should put a "given/judging from" before the blue part. What do your think, dear teachers?
:wink:

I agree with Ron. The way it is written is correct. But I also agree with you. There is an ellipted word "by", "given", etc. omitted from that phrase. :wink: