Back in 1787, more than 200 years ago, the United States of America didnt exist the way it does today.

請幫忙剖析上面句子中兩個句子是怎么樣連接的？非常顯然the way 不像連詞。謝謝。

Back in 1787, more than 200 years ago, the United States of America didnt exist the way it does today.

the way it does today.在此是方法狀語從句，由the way引導。名詞the way在非正式語體被用作從屬連詞。像the moment引導之間狀語從句。

《韋氏高級詞典》

the way

informal 非正式用詞

1—used to say what someones way of speaking, behaving, etc., seems to suggest

Youd think she was rich,the wayshe spends money! [=she spends money like a rich person]

The wayhe talks, you would think he ran the company. [=he talks as if he were the person who runs the company]

2—used to say that something happens or is done with the same attitude, at the same pace, etc., as something else

They replace their carsthe way[=like] other people replace shoes.