2. Sentence Diagramming 2
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!
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3. Sentence Diagramming 3
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
CarlosCarlos
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4. Sentence Diagramming 4
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.
CarlosCarlos
DomínguezDomínguez
5. Sentence Diagramming 5
To start, draw a “T” on your paper
Remember: Only capitalize
words that are capitalized in
the sentence!
CarlosCarlos
DomínguezDomínguez
6. Sentence Diagramming 6
Adjectives go on slanted lines
underneath the words they describe.
simple subject verb
adjective
adjective
CarlosCarlos
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7. Sentence Diagramming 7
Direct Objects (DO) follow a half
line that is after the verb.
verb
simple
subject
direct
object
CarlosCarlos
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9. Sentence Diagramming 9
Prepositional phrases are shown
under the words they modify with a
slanted line for the preposition and a
straight line for its object.
prep.
obj. of prep.
adjectiveCarlosCarlos
DomínguezDomínguez
11. Sentence Diagramming 11
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.
CarlosCarlos
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12. Sentence Diagramming 12
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
cat
dog chased cat
The
the
dog chased the
The
cat
The chased cat
dog
the
CarlosCarlos
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13. Sentence Diagramming 13
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
car
nice
man drove his
The
car
nice
man drove car
nice
his
the
man drove car
The
his
nice
CarlosCarlos
DomínguezDomínguez
14. Sentence Diagramming 14
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
the.
at
I ate restaurant
dinner
the.
at
dinner ate I
restaurant
the.
at
I ate dinner
restaurant
the.
at
CarlosCarlos
DomínguezDomínguez
15. Sentence Diagramming 15
Want more???????
For more examples
and a presentation on
diagramming all the
parts of a sentence.
For more advanced
topics and practice
exercises that you
can do and check
your answers.
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DomínguezDomínguez
