Transcript Diagramming Sentences

DIAGRAMMING SENTENCES
Diagramming sentences provides a way of picturing the
structure of a sentence. By placing the various parts of a
sentence in relation to the basic subject-verb relationship, we
can see how the parts fit together and how the meaning of a
sentence branches out, just as the branches of a plant ramify
from the stem in space and time. Most students who work at
diagramming sentences derive a clearer understanding of how
sentences work — as well as satisfaction in the pictorial
rendering of sentence structure. This presentation touches
upon only the basics of diagramming. Use the hyperlinks back
to the Guide to Grammar and Writing (this color) for
additional information.
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DIAGRAMMING SENTENCES
We begin, naturally, with the representation of a very simple
sentence:
Glaciers melt.
We will place the subject-verb relationship on a straight
horizontal line . . .
Glaciers
melt
and separate the subject from its verb with a short
vertical line extending through the horizontal line.
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DIAGRAMMING SENTENCES
Modifiers (including articles) go under the words they modify
on slanted lines.
The glacier is melting slowly.
glacier
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is melting
DIAGRAMMING SENTENCES
A direct object follows the verb on the horizontal line; it is
separated from the verb by a vertical line that does not go
through the horizontal line.
The glacier is slowly destroying the forest.
glacier
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is destroying
forest
DIAGRAMMING SENTENCES
Predicate nouns and predicate adjectives follow the verb and
are separated from the verb by a slanted line.
The glacier is not really dangerous.
glacier
is
dangerous
Josiah Budnick is a brilliant professor.
Josiah Budnick
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is
professor
DIAGRAMMING SENTENCES
With compound subjects and predicates, the sentence diagram
begins to branch out.
The professor and her colleagues are studying glaciers
and avalanches.
professor
colleagues
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are studying
and
and
glaciers
avalanches
DIAGRAMMING SENTENCES
Compound verbs are put on branches in a similar fashion.
The professor and her colleagues are studying and
classifying glaciers.
professor
colleagues
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glaciers
and
and
are studying
classifying
DIAGRAMMING SENTENCES
Indirect objects are arranged under the main sentence line.
Professor Higgins gave her students two projects.
Professor Higgins
gave
projects
students
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DIAGRAMMING SENTENCES
Prepositional phrases are arranged on branches below the
words they modify.
Professor Higgins studied glaciers in Antarctica during
the 1950s.
Professor Higgins
studied
Antarctica
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glaciers
1950s
DIAGRAMMING SENTENCES
Gerund and infinitive phrases are displayed on standards —
except when the infinitive is a modifier.
Jorge likes to study glaciers.
study glaciers
Jorge
Studying glaciers is fun.
ing
likes
glaciers
is
fun
His decision to study glaciers
was fortunate.
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decision
was
study
fortunate
glaciers
DIAGRAMMING SENTENCES
The relationship between clauses in compound and complex
sentences is shown with a dotted line.
Glaciers are powerful forces, but they move very slowly.
Glaciers
are
forces
but
they
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move
DIAGRAMMING SENTENCES
One last diagram: a complex sentence.
Professor Higgins invited Jorge to the conference because
he had written the best research paper.
Professor Higgins
invited
Jorge
conference
he
had written
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paper
DIAGRAMMING SENTENCES
Be sure to review the rest of the material on
DIAGRAMMING SENTENCES in the Guide to Grammar
and Writing. Soon, you will be diagramming sentences in your
sleep and be the envy of the entire neighborhood! As a writer,
you will be surprised at the additional confidence you gain by
mastering these visual renderings of sentence patterns.
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DIAGRAMMING SENTENCES
This PowerPoint presentation was created by
Charles Darling, PhD
Professor of English and Webmaster
Capital Community College
Hartford, Connecticut
copyright November 1999
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DIAGRAMMING SENTENCES
• DOL #1 8/17/10
• 1. She moves with elegant grace to the
witness stand.
• The owner Mr. Nesbitt came to the
restaurant after school.
• I want the truth from the witness, and I
need a short answer.
• I have trouble testifying against my brother
today.
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DIAGRAMMING SENTENCES
DOL #2 8/20/10
• The capital of Wisconsin is Madison.
• My car works well in the rainy months.
• I love Spam on my toast.
• The sun hovers over the sea during the day,
and the moon rises soon.
• The Saints play Saturday night at Ford Field
in Detroit.
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DIAGRAMMING SENTENCES
• DOL #3 8/20/12
• The four men near the parade disliked the music.
• I have been watching and recording the same
comedy show all night.
• The fireman walked the spotted dog to the park.
• Mrs. Woodson won a bronze medal at the 1998
Winter Olympics.
• Some fans took cameras to the outdoor concert.
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DIAGRAMMING SENTENCES
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DOL #4 8/22/12
1. I write sentences in my English class.
2. Lunch and dinner are very delicious.
3. Walk to the store in three hours.
4. You are my best friend.
5. The man is happy because he won the
lottery.
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DIAGRAMMING SENTENCES
• DOL #5 8/23/12
• 1. The Saints won the big, championship
ring.
• Brett Favre did not retire last Sunday.
• The Smokey Mountains is the largest range
in North Carolina.
• Who has the key to the door?
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DIAGRAMMING SENTENCES
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DOL #6 8/23/12
He is inspired by the 9/11 tragedy.
Everyone expects Dexter to love her.
The fierce storm washed out my flower beds
and bushes.
• LSU starts playing football in September.
• Junior draws cartoons, and his sister writes
the captions.
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DIAGRAMMING SENTENCES
• DOL #7 8/24/12
• Stop forwarding me this junk email.
• Joe and I are wearing red to school
tomorrow.
• He received a detention for too many
tardies.
• The chicken crossed the road, and he made
it there safely.
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DIAGRAMMING SENTENCES
• DOL #8 8/26/10
• 1. The numbers keep increasing because the
bank made an error.
• The count for tomorrow’s lunch is thirty.
• The truck skidded off the road yesterday.
• Keep the door shut.
• Crayola is conserving energy and making
products for the environment.
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DIAGRAMMING
SENTENCES
Sentence Diagramming
• DOL #9 8/30/10
• I am taking my money and savings to the
bank.
• The credit card is not working today.
• Buy me some blue and green bracelets.
• The car parked in my spot, and they crossed
the lines.
• My dad and mom have a large stack of junk
mail.
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DIAGRAMMING SENTENCES
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DOL #10 8/31/10
1. Hold on to your hats.
2. Is it raining or snowing outside?
3. The answers and sentences to the
questions are easy.
• 4. The boy walked and fed his dog because
he was bored.
• 5. I went home last night, and my mom
cooked pizza.
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DIAGRAMMING SENTENCES
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DOL #11 9/1/10
What are the rules?
She wrote me a long letter and mailed it.
She studied criminology for a long time.
The public and voters did not believe her.
I gave my friend Calvin a magnet from my
trip yesterday.
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DIAGRAMMING SENTENCES
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DOL #12
My new hiking boots are brown and black.
Hiking and kayaking are my favorite sports.
The Model T is remembered and observed
as the first inexpensive car.
• Today’s cars and trucks are much sturdier.
• They are planning the restoration, and she
is holding the party.
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DIAGRAMMING SENTENCES
• DOL #12
• I have enjoyed it more every year because I
watch the plays.
• The museum has shown, with small working
parts, the transportation system in the lakes
region.
• The twins, Emma and Ben, were watching
their brother.
• Jason was cleaning out the garage.
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DIAGRAMMING SENTENCES
• DOL #13
• I had two ponies and three tractors to ride
at the farm.
• We swam nearly everyday in the farm pond.
• She throws me the rope, and I catch it.
• The police chief told them the story.
• They also bought and issued him an official
uniform.
• He started a big riot, and the teacher sent
him home.
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DIAGRAMMING SENTENCES
• DOL #14
• Addis fought really hard and won the teeth
war.
• He tied them together in small bunches, and
the store sold them.
• Addis made the first toothbrush and
toothpaste.
• He drilled small holes in the cone, and he
attached miniature bristles.
• He asked his brother for some bristles and
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string.
DIAGRAMMING SENTENCES
• DOL #15
• Both of those are classics.
• Geena and Larry are walking to the store after
school.
• Four quarts are equal one gallon.
• Kate rode the horse and herded up the sheep.
• The painting won numerous prizes and it was
very beautiful.
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DIAGRAMMING SENTENCES
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DOL #16
The coach seems to march with a lot of energy.
Mom wanted a picture of her.
Peter pressed a button, and the ship shuddered
violently.
• Peter grinned at me kindly.
• The child in her arms is my sister.
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DIAGRAMMING SENTENCES
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DOL #17
That dog is ruining my life.
Get him off my property.
A thirteen-year-old boy found the stamp in his
parents’ attic.
• I sing a sweet song to myself very softly.
• I like playing many types of music.
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DIAGRAMMING SENTENCES
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DIAGRAMMING SENTENCES
© Capital Community College
DIAGRAMMING SENTENCES
© Capital Community College
DIAGRAMMING SENTENCES
© Capital Community College
DIAGRAMMING SENTENCES
© Capital Community College
DIAGRAMMING SENTENCES
© Capital Community College
DIAGRAMMING SENTENCES
© Capital Community College
DIAGRAMMING SENTENCES
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