Transcript Lesson 1: Diagramming S-V-DO

A basic sentence is comprised of a subject (noun or pronoun)
and the predicate (verb) AND it must be a complete thought.
Example: Mary laughed.
In the above sentence the verb is referred to an intransitive verb because it
shows action and needs no other explanation (it is clear enough.)
However, most sentences are not this simple. Most sentences need more
information to form a complete thought.
Joe bought
It has a subject and a verb BUT it does not state a complete thought. We
need to know WHAT did Joe buy? We need to add a direct object to
explain Who? or What? is receiving the action.
Joe bought sneakers.
In this sentence bought is considered a transitive verb
because it needs to “transition” to another word…in
this case sneakers which serves as the direct object.
(hint: The D.O. is always a noun or pronoun and
answers the question “Who?”technically Whom? or “What?”)
Trans
(Latin)
means
“across”
Diagramming Lesson 1
Now that you know that most basic sentences are
comprised of a subject, verb, and direct object, you can
begin to practice diagramming.
Joe bought sneakers.
Joe is the subject (He does the action).
bought is the verb (describes the action which Joe did.)
sneakers is the D.O. and answers the question “What did Joe buy?”
It is diagrammed like this…
First you draw a straight horizontal line with two short vertical lines.
(Subject)
(Verb)
(Direct Object)
This line meets
the horizontal line.
This line goes through
the horizontal line.
Joe
Diagramming Lesson 1
bought
sneakers
Okay, I think even I can
follow this!
Look at some other samples of this basic diagramming
pattern for subject, verb, and direct object.
She
paints
lighthouses
A pronoun can be a subject.
Germany
Hey, Mrs.
C., I think
I’m starting
to get it!
Toby
invaded
followed
countries
him
A pronoun can be a D.O.
You
Rex
believed
bit
her
Meghan
Diagramming Lesson 1
I thought
she said
this was
going to
be easy!
Many basic sentences also include
helping verbs as part of the verb phrase.
may, can, must, might, shall, will, should,
would, could, have (includes has, had, and
sometimes having), do (includes did), be
(includes am, are, is, was, were, being, been)
Note: HAVE, DO, and BE can also be main
verbs.
Here’s what a diagrammed sentence with helping verbs looks like….
Joe
might have bought sneakers (what?)
Rex
could have bit
You
Meghan (who?)
should have believed her. (who?)
Diagramming Lesson 1
Now, try diagramming these basic sentences. You must use
a ruler, be VERY neat, and be sure the lines and words are
in the EXACT correct position. Also, next to the D.O., in
parentheses, add whether it answers the question
Who or What.
(You will do an awesome job!)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Birds have been singing songs.
Don’t forget that
Bill will be leaving college.
the Direct Object
She can find it.
(D.O.) must be
Princeton admitted Carolyn. either a noun or a
pronoun AND
Troy begged forgiveness.
answer the basic
question of either
You may see Mr. Stevenson. “Who?”
or “What?”
Theresa did pick him.
Athletes may have accepted bribes.
Diagramming Lesson 1
Answers
Birds
Bill
She
have been singing
will be leaving
can find
Princeton
Troy
You
may see
Theresa
Athletes
college. (what?)
it. (what?)
admitted
begged
songs. (what?)
Carolyn. (who?)
forgiveness. (what?)
Mr. Stevenson. (who?)
did pick
him. (who?)
may have accepted
bribes. (what?)
Diagramming Lesson 1