diagramming diagramming is the representation of a sentence and its parts of speech in graphical...
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DiagrammingDiagramming
Diagramming is the representation of a sentence and its parts of speech in
graphical form
Where to beginWhere to beginAny time you need to diagram a sentence, you always start with the basics and
work your way down. The basics would include your subject, verb, and any complements that you have. Let’s just start with a simple sentence that does not have any complements.
Example: I drove around the school.
Begin by drawing your baseline. This is the formation you always begin with.
Then, put your subject on the left side and your verb on the right.
I drove
Once you have the basics covered, you then add in your modifiers (adjectives, adverbs, and prepositional phrases. The only modifier we have here is a prepositional phrase. We put this in an “L” formation underneath what it modifies. Put the preposition on the slanted line and the object of the preposition on the straight line. Modifiers are placed on a slanted line underneath what they modify.
around
school
the
PN and PAPN and PAWhenever we begin to diagram, we first want to break down the sentence
into its various parts: subjects, verbs, complement, prep phrases, etc.Example:The man in the blue suit is my father.
We begin to diagram by starting with the subject and verb. We draw the baseline like this:
Subject Verb/verb phrase
man is
Next stepsNext stepsNext we add in the complements. PN and PA are placed behind a slanted line,
while DOs are placed behind a straight line.
man is father
Now we have the basic meaning of our sentence on the baseline. Now we start adding in the modifiers. Adjectives and adverbs are placed on a slanted line underneath what they modify.
the
in
suitthe
blue
my
Benefits of diagrammingBenefits of diagramming
Once you understand how to diagram, you’ll notice that all structures have a set and predictable form. For example, prepositional phrases appear in the “L” formation. Modifiers like adjectives and adverbs slant underneath what they modify. This is useful because we can see at a glance what each word’s function is, as well as what those words modify. This can make grammatical functions clearer to see.
Diagramming is also useful because it forces you to look at each and every word In the sentence and recognize its function.
Diagramming other types of complements
Diagramming other types of complements
In the last sentence, we had a PN. DOs and IOs also have predictable places where they are placed in diagramming.
Example: I asked Karen a question.
I asked
1) Diagram the subject and verb first.
2) The DO goes behind a straight line after the verb. Note that the line does NOT bisect the baseline. Only the sub/verb divide bisects the baseline.
question
3) Add IO on the straight line of an L structure underneath the verb
Karen
4) Add in modifiers
a
PracticePracticeDetermine where the words in the following sentences would go on the
structure provided
1. The dog ran around the yard.
dog ran
the
around yardthe
More practiceMore practiceThis time, you determine the structure needed for the sentence.
The students in the school celebrated.
students celebrated
The in
schoolthe
More PracticeMore PracticeThis time, let’s add in those complements!
I saw my grandmother at the parade.
I saw grandmother
myat
parade
the
Independent PracticeIndependent PracticeDraw the baseline and add in modifiers for these sentences
1. I saw that movie in the theater.2. My aunt is a teacher.3. Tara sent Nina a letter.4. I made travel plans for Hawaii.5. I am excited about the Halloween party.
How to diagram modifiers that modify other words as well
How to diagram modifiers that modify other words as well
We already learned to diagram modifiers on a slanted line underneath what they modify. However, in order to show that a word modifies another word, we will “piggyback” it to the word being modified.
Example: The very fast car drove too dangerously.
car drove
The fastvery
dangerouslytoo
Diagramming compound elementsDiagramming compound elementsWe use a multi-tiered structure to show compound elements. If we have a
compound subject, we are going to make a two (or more)-tiered structure to show the subjects.
Example: Rick and Jane studied for their science quiz.
Rick
Jane and studied
forquiz
their
science