Diagramming Sentences

Sentence Diagrams

by Eugene R. Moutoux

~ One Way of Learning English Grammar ~

Sentences by Contemporary Journalists

 
As a teacher of foreign languages, I am disturbed by the inability of many, if not most, of my first-year students to deal effectively with even the most basic elements of grammar. Whereas in a bygone era students learned the parts of speech and their respective functions (and demonstrated this knowledge by diagramming sentences), today's students enter high school unsure of the difference between nouns and verbs, and totally befuddled if asked to identify gerunds and  participles, direct object objects and predicate nominatives.

Perhaps you are one of these students. If so, welcome to my web site, which I hope will familiarize you with as much grammar as you will need to know. Don't be alarmed by the elaborate diagrams; in mini-lessons following each diagram, you will be introduced to one or two new grammar concepts at a time. You can overlook the rest until you are ready for it.

If you already have a solid foundation in grammar, you will perhaps enjoy creating your own diagrams before looking at mine. Please check the Apologia pro descriptione mea (defense of my diagram) accompanying each diagram. If we disagree and you think you're right, please let me know. I'll be happy to write back.

Sentence 1

The federal government and many of the nation's leading telephone companies yesterday announced an agreement for a reshuffling of phone rates that would reduce the bills of tens of millions of less affluent consumers and lead to less significant cuts for other consumers and businesses.

        - Stephen Labaton, The New York Times (published on June 1, 2000, in Louisville, KY, in The Courier-Journal, page A1)   

Sentence 2

Reports about medicines in newspapers and on television commonly contain little or no information about drugs' risks and cost, and often cite medical "experts" without disclosing their financial ties to the pharmaceutical industry, according to a new study.

           - Susan Okie, The Washington Post (published on June 1, 2000, in Louisville, KY, in The Courier-Journal, page A3)

Sentence 3

Unhappy bus and truck drivers argued yesterday that proposed limits on the time they can drive will cost the economy millions of dollars and make the roads less safe.

          - Associated Press (published on June 1, 2000, in Louisville, KY, in The Courier-Journal, page A3)

Sentence 4

Gov. George W. Bush, who recently advocated DNA testing to "erase any doubts" from some death penalty cases, said yesterday he would probably delay the looming execution of a convicted killer whose attorneys are fighting for new DNA tests.

          - Mark Babineck, Associated Press (published on June 1, 2000, in Louisville, KY, in The Courier-Journal, page A4)

Sentence 5 

There is little evidence yet of the "new approach" that Bobby Knight promised in return for one last chance to behave suitably as men's basketball coach at Indiana University.

          - Louisville, KY, The Courier-Journal, June 1, 2000, editorial page

Sentence 6 

Peterson's, publisher of a guide to four-year colleges, said yesterday that from now on it will disclose to readers that schools pay for extra information about themselves in the book.

          - Arlene Levinson, Associated Press (published on June 2, 2000, in Louisville, KY, in The Courier-Journal, page A1)

Sentence 7 

Using a new kind of stroke rehabilitation therapy, scientists have shown for the first time that the brain can be coaxed into reorganizing its circuitry so that people regain nearly full use of partially paralyzed limbs, even if the stroke happened years ago.

          - From New York Times and AP Dispatches (published on June 2, 2000, in Louisville, KY, in The Courier-Journal, page A8)

Sentence 8

Side air bags--the latest in high-tech auto safety devices--are providing effective protection in actual crashes while largely avoiding inadvertent injuries to passengers, an industry technical group reported yesterday.

          - R. Alonzo-Zaldivar, Los Angeles Times (published on June 2, 2000, in Louisville, KY, in The Courier-Journal, page A5)

Sentence 9 

TV networks are a lot like pesky phone solicitors, the people who call you as you are about to dig into a bowl of spaghetti and try to sell you Venetian blinds you don't want or some kind of helmet your gutters don't need.

          - Thomas Nord (published on June 2, 2000, in Louisville, KY, in The Courier-Journal, page D1)

Sentence 10 

After punishing basketball coach Bobby Knight last month for misbehavior--but not firing him--Indiana University is still wrestling with its feelings about whether it did enough over the years to prevent Knight's heated confrontations with players, referees and others.

         - The Courier-Journal, June 4, 2000, page A1

Sentence 11 

It's hard for many people to balance work and family, but entrepreneurs running a company out of their homes learn quickly that it can be impossible to separate the two.

          - Joyce M. Rosenberg, Associated Press (published on June 5, 2000, in Louisville, KY, in The Courier-Journal, page C1)

Sentence 12 

The advocacy group Human Rights Watch claims the nation's war on drugs unfairly targets African Americans, who are far more likely to be imprisoned for drug offenses than whites even though far more whites use illegal drugs than blacks.

          - Michael A. Fletcher, The Washington Post (published on June 8, 2000, in Louisville, KY, in The Courier-Journal, page A3)

Sentence 13 

The group's report, to be released today, said that blacks accounted for 62 percent of the drug offenders sent to state prisons nationwide in 1996, the most recent year for which statistics are available, although they represent just 12 percent of the U.S. population.

          - Michael A. Fletcher, The Washington Post (published on June 8, 2000, in Louisville, KY, in The Courier-Journal, page A3)

Sentence 14 

The new investigation found no credible evidence to support allegations in recent years from former Memphis bar owner Loyd Jowers and former FBI agent Donald Wilson, and earlier from Ray himself, that a mysterious "Raoul" or others, including federal agents, police or black ministers, participated in a plot to kill King.

          - Michael J. Sniffen, Associated Press (published on June 10, 2000, in Louisville, KY, in The Courier-Journal, page A1)

Sentence 15 

It is a rare testimonial to the transplant system, which for the last several years has been rocked by bitter charges of unfairness, seen nasty internal fighting explode into embarrassing public view, warred over government attempts to step in and solve the controversy, and suffered under the historic shortage of donor organs.

          - Elizabeth Neus, Gannett News Service (published on June 11, 2000, in Louisville, KY, in The Courier-Journal, page A18)

Sentence 16 

President Clinton opened the door yesterday for states to provide unemployment pay to workers who take unpaid time off to care for a newborn child or sick relative, expanding an already popular Family Leave Act.

- Associated Press (published on June 11, 2000, in Louisville, KY, in The Courier-Journal, page A5)

Sentence 17 

In response to such complaints, the Regional Airport Authority has announced it will seek $215 million to cut in half the time needed to move about 1,000 families whose neighborhoods have been identified as most adversely affected by airport noise.

          - Butch John (published on June 11, 2000, in Louisville, KY, in The Courier-Journal, page A1)

Sentence 18 

Key segments of the nation's news audience, particularly younger and better-educated Americans, and those seeking financial information, are turning increasingly to the Internet, says a new poll on media trends.

         Will Lester, Associated Press (published on June 12, 2000, in Louisville, KY, in The Courier-Journal, page A3)

Sentence 19 

Keeping your lips zipped when things sour is the best piece of blunt marriage advice the couple will offer in their sold-out appearances at the Louisville Public Library tonight and on public radio station WFPL tomorrow morning.

          - Tom Dorsey, TV and Radio Critic (published on June 12, 2000, in Louisville, KY, in The Courier-Journal, page F1)

Sentence 20 

His comments came after Jefferson County Judge-Executive Rebecca Jackson and all three county commissioners sent a hand-delivered letter directing him not to "issue any statements of commitment, or send a memorandum of understanding at this time on behalf of the county" to the Rockets about plans for an arena.

          - Sheldon S. Schafer and Chris Poynter (published on June 13, 2000, in Louisville, KY, in The Courier-Journal, page A1)
Check out my new book, Analyzing the Grammar of Literature: Diagrams of 130 Long Sentences from British and American Writers! See the description below.

*** A Workbook of Sentence Diagramming ***

A Workbook of Sentence Diagramming is now in its second edition. Its 114 pages contain the definitions of 97 grammatical terms, a page of diagramming symbols, 105 diagramming examples ranging in difficulty from very easy to very difficult, 30 exercises containing 274 sentences to be diagrammed, a separate answer section with a diagram and a verbal analysis of each sentence, and a concluding section of 30 sentences of medium length (with solutions), intended as a review of most of the diagramming concepts presented in the book.

Teachers purchasing a copy of this book may photocopy all or some of its pages for free distribution to their students. 

The price of the second edition is $14 (including book-rate shipment within the United States), slightly less per book if multiple copies are ordered. If you want to buy one or more copies of this book, please email me at [email protected]. I will  send you my address and you can then mail me a check or money order (no cash or credit card numbers, please). Don't forget to include the address to which you want the book or books sent. Please allow 10-14 days for delivery. 

At long last, you may purchase student copies of A Workbook of Sentence Diagramming. The student copy contains all the material of the regular edition with the exception of the answers (diagramming solutions and explanations) to the exercises. Additional space has been provided so that students who write small and work carefully will be able to construct most of their diagrams in their books. The price of a student copy is $12.50 ($11.50 when more than one book is ordered).

* *  * * *

For Young Learners

*** A First Book of Sentence Diagramming ***

A First Book of Sentence Diagramming is a diagramming workbook for elementary and middle-school students. The student edition of this book contains, in addition to definitions and explanations, some 115 model diagrams and 250 sentences for students to diagram. These model diagrams and sentences are entirely new; they are not taken from A Workbook of Sentence Diagramming or from my web site. Space is provided in the book for the student's diagrams. 

A separate teacher's edition of A First Book of Sentence Diagramming contains all of the pages of the student edition as well as solutions (diagrams of the 250 sentences), eight unit tests, and test solutions. 

The student edition has 86 pages and costs $12.50 (less for multiple copies). The teacher's edition has 120 pages and costs $15 (less for multiple copies). These prices include book-rate postage within the United States.

Teachers, you may photocopy, for free distribution to your students, the material on pages 87-120 of the teacher's edition: unit tests and solutions for all exercises and tests; furthermore, if neither your schools nor your students can or will purchase student copies, you may photocopy pages 1-86 as well for free distribution to your students. All other rights are reserved by the author. 

If you would like to view the table of contents of A First Book of Sentence Diagramming, please click here. To view the unit divider page for Unit I, click here. Each of the eight units is introduced by a similar page. To view the first page of Lesson 22, click here

If you want to buy one or more copies of this book, please email me at [email protected]. I will  send you my address and you can then mail me a check or money order (no cash or credit card numbers, please). Don't forget to include the address to which you want the book or books sent. Please allow 10-14 days for delivery. 

* * * * *

*** A Second Book of Sentence Diagramming ***

A Second Book of Sentence Diagramming is intended for middle-school and high-school students. This book begins where A First Book of Sentence Diagramming ends and has the same basic structure. The student edition of this book contains, in addition to definitions and explanations, some 82 model diagrams and 201 sentences for students to diagram. These model diagrams and sentences are entirely new; they are not taken from A Workbook of Sentence Diagramming or from my web site. Space is provided in the book for the student's diagrams. 

A separate teacher's edition of A Second Book of Sentence Diagramming contains all of the pages of the student edition as well as solutions (diagrams of the 201 sentences), eight unit tests, and test solutions. 

The student edition has 86 pages and costs $12.50 (less for multiple copies). The teacher's edition has 133 pages and costs $16 (less for multiple copies). These prices include book-rate postage within the United States.

Teachers, you may photocopy, for free distribution to your students, the material on pages 87-133 of the teacher's edition: unit tests and solutions for all exercises and tests; furthermore, if neither your schools nor your students can or will purchase student copies, you may photocopy pages 1-86 as well for free distribution to your students. All other rights are reserved by the author. 

If you would like to view the table of contents of A Second Book of Sentence Diagramming, please click here. To view the unit divider page for Unit I, click here. Each of the eight units is introduced by a similar page. To view the first page of Lesson 22, click here

If you want to buy one or more copies of this book, please email me at [email protected]. I will  send you my address and you can then mail me a check or money order (no cash or credit card numbers, please). Don't forget to include the address to which you want the book or books sent. Please allow 10-14 days for delivery. 

* * * * *

Now in its second edition!

***Diagramming Step by Step***

~ One Hundred and Fifty-five Steps to Diagramming Excellence ~

Diagramming Step by Step: One Hundred and Fifty-five Steps to Diagramming Excellence, my fourth book of sentence diagramming, is similar to the second edition of A Workbook of Sentence Diagramming; however, there are several important differences:

1 - The examples and exercises of Diagramming Step by Step are completely new.

2 - The teacher's edition of Diagramming Step by Step has 158 pages, 44 more than A Workbook of Sentence Diagramming. Student copies are also available. They do not have answers in the back; in every other respect, they are the same as the teacher's edition. 

3 - Diagramming Step by Step has 40 more diagramming examples than A Workbook of Sentence Diagramming.

4 - Diagramming Step by Step has 83 more sentences for students to diagram; moreover, ten of these sentences have more than 100 words each. A Workbook of Sentence Diagramming has no sentences of this length. Click here to see one of these 100-word sentences. 

5 - The instructional section of the book is divided into 24 lessons, each with a page of grammar explanation, a page of model diagrams, and a page of sentences to be diagrammed by the student. Click here to see an entire lesson (three pages). I regret the poor quality of some images.

6 - In a section entitled "People in the Park," a storyteller (that's me) tells stories about the lives of people in the park, and the student is expected to diagram the sentences of these stories. Grammar hints are provided for those who need them. Click here to see one of the stories.

Click here to see the table of contents.

Like the second edition of A Workbook of Sentence Diagramming, the teacher's edition of Diagramming Step by Step has, in the back, "answers" (diagrams and explanations) for every sentence in every exercise, including "People in the Park" and "100-word Sentences."

Should you buy this book if you already have A Workbook of Sentence Diagramming? Not necessarily, but if you are looking for additional diagramming challenges for yourself or your students, you will find plenty in this book. 

Should you buy this book instead of A Workbook of Sentence Diagramming? Again, not necessarily. This book may have more material than you need. 

Diagramming Step by Step is also available in an enlarged edition. It features 24 additional pages, each entitled "Writing Correctly." These pages offer students writing tips related to the topics of the corresponding 24 lessons. Click here to view two of these pages.

I have dedicated this book to my recently deceased wife of 41 years, Joni. For that reason, I have tried to make it my best diagramming book. If I ever seek a publisher for one of my books, this will be the one. Click here to view pictures of Joni and to read about her life and death.

Teachers purchasing a copy of this book may photocopy all or some of its pages for free distribution to their students. 

The price of the teacher's edition of Diagramming Step by Step is $18. A student copy sells for $12.50. The enlarged edition (the teacher's edition with 24 pages of writing tips--182 pages in all) sells for $20. The prices, which include handling and media-mail shipment within the United States, are slightly less per book if multiple copies are ordered. If you want to buy one or more copies of this book, please email me at [email protected]. I will  send you my address and you can then mail me a check or money order (no cash or credit card numbers, please). Don't forget to include the address to which you want the book or books sent. Please allow 10-14 days for delivery. 

* * * * *

New in 2009!

*** Analyzing the Grammar of Literature *** 

Diagrams of 130 Long Sentences from British and American Writers

This, my fifth book of sentence diagramming, is unlike any of the other four and, to the best of my knowledge, unlike any other book available. It is not for beginners. It offers 130 sentences gleaned from the works of 57 British and American writers. The shortest sentence in the collection has 70 words, the longest 472. The median length (the length of the sentence right in the middle) is 100 words; to be precise, Sentence 65 has 99 words, Sentence 66 has 100. 

Diagrams of all 130 sentences are contained in in the "back" of the book, i.e., in the final five-sixths of the book. Each diagram occupies at least one page of the book; the longest covers four pages.

Degree of syntactic difficulty played no role in the selection of sentences. Sentence length and author’s literary reputation were the major criteria. 

The authors represented in this book are Henry Adams, Matthew Arnold, Jane Austin, James Boswell, Charlotte Brontë, Samuel Butler, George Washington Cable, Lewis Carroll, Samuel Coleridge, Joseph Conrad,  James Fennimore Cooper, Daniel Defoe, Charles Dickens, Arthur Conan Doyle, George Eliot, Ralph Waldo Emerson, William Faulkner, Henry Fielding, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Benjamin Franklin, Oliver Goldsmith, Graham Greene, Thomas Hardy, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Ernest Hemingway, O. Henry, Washington Irving, William James, Thomas Jefferson, Sarah Orne Jewett, Samuel Johnson, James Joyce, Abraham Lincoln, Herman Melville, James Michener, John Stuart Mill, Cardinal Newman, Edgar Allan Poe, Budd Schulberg, John O'Hara, Sir Walter Scott, Adam Smith, Gertrude Stein, Lawrence Sterne, Harriet Beecher Stowe, William Thackeray, Henry David Thoreau, Anthony Trollope, Mark Twain, Robert Penn Warren, Eudora Welty, Edith Wharton, Walt Whitman, Oscar Wilde, Thomas Wolfe, Virginia Wolfe, and William Wordsworth.  

Teachers purchasing a copy of this book may photocopy all or some of its pages for free distribution to their students. 

Analyzing the Grammar of Literature has 185 8 1/2" x 11" pages; it has a soft cover protected by a plastic overlay. The price of the book is $22, which includes handling and media-mail shipment within the United States. Multiple copies cost slightly less. If you want to buy one or more copies of this book, please email me at [email protected]. I will  send you my address and you can then mail me a check or money order (no cash or credit card numbers, please). Don't forget to include the address to which you want the book or books sent. Please allow 10-14 days for delivery. 

* * * * *

If you would like information about my book 2016 Latin Derivatives for Latin Students, please click here.

                                                                                                      June 15, 2009

Please send comments and questions to

[email protected]

Return to Sentence Diagrams, page 1 
Hosted by www.Geocities.ws

1