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......
D I AGRAM M I N G SEN T EN CES
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.
D I AGRAM M I N G SEN T EN CES
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.
D I AGRAM M I N G SEN T EN CES
Modifiers (including articles) go under the words they modify
on slanted lines.
The glacier is melting slowly.
glacier is melting
Th slo
e wly
D I AGRAM M I N G SEN T EN CES
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 is destroying forest
Th slo the
e wly
D I AGRAM M I N G SEN T EN CES
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
Th no rea
e t lly
Josiah Budnick is a brilliant professor.
Josiah Budnick is professor
a br
ill
ia
nt
D I AGRAM M I N G SEN T EN CES
With compound subjects and predicates, the sentence diagram
begins to branch out.
The professor and her colleagues are studying glaciers
and avalanches.
professor glaciers
Th
e
and
and
are studying
colleagues avalanches
her
D I AGRAM M I N G SEN T EN CES
Compound verbs are put on branches in a similar fashion.
The professor and her colleagues are studying and
classifying glaciers.
professor are studying
Th
e glaciers
and
and
colleagues classifying
her
D I AGRAM M I N G SEN T EN CES
Indirect objects are arranged under the main sentence line.
Professor Higgins gave her students two projects.
Professor Higgins gave projects
tw
o
students
he
r
D I AGRAM M I N G SEN T EN CES
Prepositional phrases are arranged on branches below the
words they modify.
Professor Higgins studied glaciers in Antarctica during
the 1950s.
Professor Higgins studied glaciers
du
in
Antarctica
rin
1950s
g
th
e
D I AGRAM M I N G SEN T EN CES
Gerund and infinitive phrases are displayed on standards —
except when the infinitive is a modifier.
Jorge likes to study glaciers.
to
study glaciers
Jorge likes
Stu
dy
ing glaciers
Studying glaciers is fun.
is fun
His decision to study glaciers decision was fortunate
was fortunate.
H
to
is
study glaciers
D I AGRAM M I N G SEN T EN CES
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
po
we
rfu
but l
they move
slow
l
ver y
y
D I AGRAM M I N G SEN T EN CES
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
to conference
se
th
au
e
bec
he had written paper
re
be
th
se
st
e
ar
ch
D I AGRAM M I N G SEN T EN CES
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.
D I AGRAM M I N G SEN T EN CES
T hi s Power Poi nt pr esenta ti on wa s cr ea ted
by
Cha r l es D a r l i ng, PhD
Pr ofessor of Engl i sh a nd Webma ster
Ca pi ta l Communi ty Col l ege
H a r tfor d, Connecti cut
copyr i ght N ovember 1999
