In the nesosilicates structure silicate-tetrahedra are not directly connected with mutual oxygen ion only by interstitial cations.
Sorosilicate have isolated double tetrahedra groups with a ratio of two sevenths.
Inosilicates have interlocking chains of silicate tetrahedra as single chains or double chains.
Cyclosilicates have linked tetrahedra with a ratio of one third. There are three-member, four-member, and six-member rings in this group of silicates.
The basic structure of the phyllosilicates is based on interconnected six-member rings of twenty four tetrahedra that extend outward in infinite sheets.
Tectosilicates are composed of interconnected tetrahedrons going outward in all directions. All the oxygens are shared with other tetrahedrons in this subclass