HOW TO DIAGRAM SENTENCES

1. HOW TO DIAGRAM SENTENCES • Step #1 • Look for the VERB in the sentence. A verb is a word that shows action (dance, sing, walk, run, etc.) or state of being (am, is, are, was, were, etc.) • Ask the question, "What action is taking place, or what happened in the sentence?" The answer you get will let you know which word (or group of words) serves as the verb in the sentence. The VERB is placed on the right hand side of the base line. • Examples: Aunt Polly punished Tom for ditching school. Tom started a fight with the new boy in town.

2. Tom’s friends were painting the fence for him. • Huck Finn was a homeless boy

3. Step #2 • Find the SUBJECT of the verb (the person or thing that performs the action). • Ask the question, "Who? or What?" before the verb. The answer you get will let you know which word (or group of words) serves as the subject of the verb. The SUBJECT is placed on the left hand side of the base line.

4. Examples: • Aunt Polly punished Tom for ditching school. • Tom started a fight with the new boy in town.

5. Try these: • Tom’s friends were painting the fence for him. • Huck Finn was a homeless boy.

6. Example: Cats will meow. • 1. Flowers grow. • 2. Birds were chirping. • 3. Bunnies hop. • 4. Bailey must have been sleeping. • 5. Sydney has been playing.

7. Step #3 • Find the DIRECT OBJECT. (If there is one in the sentence, it is the person or thing that receives the action of the verb.) • Ask the question, "Whom? or What?" after the verb. The answer you get will let you know which word serves as the direct object of the verb. The DIRECT OBJECT is placed on the base line to the right of the verb separated by a line that goes upward from the base line.

8. Aunt Polly punished Tom for ditching school. • Tom started a fight with the new boy in town. • Tom’s friends were painting the fence for him.

9. Huck Finn was a homeless boy. • Becky Thatcher wore two long braids. • Tom was exploring the cave.