8/25/2014 Sentence Diagramming 1

Sentence Diagramming

Daniel Stansberry

8/25/2014 Sentence Diagramming 2

Contents

Introduction to Sentence Diagramming

A Brief History of Diagramming

Getting Started

Diagramming Simple Subjects and Verbs

Diagramming Adjectives

Diagramming Direct Objects

Diagramming Prepositional Phrases

Got It?

Review

Quiz Time

Want More?

References

3

5

7

8

10

12

14

16

18

20

29

30

8/25/2014 Sentence Diagramming 3

This will introduce you to the basics of sentence diagramming and help you begin diagramming sentences on your own!

When we finish, you should be able to diagram simple subjects,

verbs, direct objects, adjectives, and prepositional phrases! Click “Go” to start!

GO!

8/25/2014 Sentence Diagramming 4

How to move around…

Click the buttons below to get from one

place to another in the lesson:

Go to the next slide

Go back one slide

Go back to the last slide you viewed

Go back to the beginning

8/25/2014 Sentence Diagramming 5

Who started it?

Brainerd Kellogg and

Alonzo Reed wrote a

book in 1899 called

Graded Lessons in

English. In it, they

supported use of

diagramming as a

way to understand

grammar and

sentence structure.

Check out an

old diagram!

8/25/2014 Sentence Diagramming 6

What does it mean to diagram a

sentence?

A sentence diagram is a different way to

look at the parts of a sentence. You use

lines to separate the sentence into its

parts. It’s a great way to let you see the

parts of a sentence that we talk about

every day and to understand how things

fit together to make a sentence.

8/25/2014 Sentence Diagramming 7

To start, draw a “T” on your paper

Remember: Only capitalize

words that are capitalized in

the sentence!

8/25/2014 Sentence Diagramming 8

On the line, the simple subject

goes on the left, and the verb goes

on the right.

simple subject

verb

8/25/2014 Sentence Diagramming 9

Example:

Bob jumped.

Bob jumped

8/25/2014 Sentence Diagramming 10

Adjectives go on slanted lines

underneath the words they describe.

simple subject verb

8/25/2014 Sentence Diagramming 11

Example:

The tall boy ran.

boy ran

8/25/2014 Sentence Diagramming 12

Direct Objects (DO) follow a half

line that is after the verb.

verb simple

subject

direct

object

8/25/2014 Sentence Diagramming 13

Example:

Bob saw Susie.

Bob saw Susie

8/25/2014 Sentence Diagramming 14

Prepositional phrases are shown

under the words they modify with a

slanted line for the preposition and a

straight line for its object.

obj. of prep.

8/25/2014 Sentence Diagramming 15

Example:

Bob saw Susie at the store.

Bob saw

store

Susie

8/25/2014 Sentence Diagramming 16

Got it? No?

Get help with...

simple subjects & verbs direct objects prepositional phrases adjectives Check your answer

SS/V

PREP

ADJ

DO

Yes!

Think about this one: Bill drove the car over the bridge.

Then...

8/25/2014 Sentence Diagramming 17

Get it right????????

Bill drove

bridge

car

8/25/2014 Sentence Diagramming 18

Let’s Review…

• Diagramming sentences is another way to understand grammar and sentence structure.

• Simple subjects and verbs go on a horizontal line, separated by a vertical line.

• Adjectives go under the words they modify.

• Direct objects go after a half vertical line that follows the verb.

8/25/2014 Sentence Diagramming 19

Let’s Review (cont.)…

• Prepositional phrases start on slanted

lines under the words they modify.

Prepositions are on slanted lines and the

objects are on horizontal lines.

simple

subject verb

obj. of prep.

DO

8/25/2014 Sentence Diagramming 20

Quiz Time!

Click the letter of the correct diagram for

this sentence: The dog chased the cat.

a. b.

c. d. The chased the dog chased cat

dog chased the The chased cat

8/25/2014 Sentence Diagramming 21

Next Question

8/25/2014 Sentence Diagramming 22

Try Again

8/25/2014 Sentence Diagramming 23

Quiz Time: #2 Click the letter of the correct diagram for

this sentence: The nice man drove his car.

a. b.

c. d.

The drove his

man drove his man drove car

man drove car

8/25/2014 Sentence Diagramming 24

Next Question

8/25/2014 Sentence Diagramming 25

Try Again

8/25/2014 Sentence Diagramming 26

Click the letter of the correct diagram for this

sentence: I ate dinner at the restaurant.

a. b.

c. d.

Quiz Time: #3

I ate dinner

restaurant

I ate restaurant

dinner

dinner ate I

restaurant

I ate dinner

restaurant

8/25/2014 Sentence Diagramming 27

Find out more!

8/25/2014 Sentence Diagramming 28

Try Again

8/25/2014 Sentence Diagramming 29

Want more???????

For more examples and a presentation on diagramming all the parts of a sentence, click here.

For more advanced topics and practice exercises that you can do and check your answers, click here.

8/25/2014 Sentence Diagramming 30

References

Darling, C. (2004). Guide to Grammar and Writing. Retrieved November 20, 2004, from http://www.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar

Moutoux, E. R. (2004). Sentence Diagramming. Retrieved November 18, 2004, from http://www.geocities.com/gene_moutoux/diagrams.htm

Reed, A., & Kellogg, B. (1899). Graded lessons in English : an elementary English grammar : consisting of one hundred practical lessons, carefully graded and adapted to the class-room. Retrieved November 17, 2004, from 19th Century Schoolbooks: http://digital.library.pitt.edu/cgi-bin/t/text/text-idx?c=nietz&view=toc&idno=00ABY4888m

8/25/2014 Sentence Diagramming 31

The End