Download How to Diagram a Noun Phrase

How to Diagram
a Linking Verb Sentence
ENGL 114-01
College Grammar
T. Redd
Diagram a Sentence
Every sentence consists of a subject (NP)
and a predicate verb (VP) phrase, where
the tense of the verb is noted under AUX.
S
NP
Aux.
Present
N
V
Students
are
VP
But this sentence
is not complete.
How can you
complete it?
?
COMPLEMENTS
• To form sentences, linking verbs need
something “to complete the thought.”
• Complements “complete the thought.”
• Complements can be adverbial, adjectival,
or nominal.
Diagram ADV COMP
You can complete a linking verb sentence
with an adverbial complement, which is
often an adverb phrase (AdvP).
S
NP
N
Aux.
Present
V
VP
AdvP
Adv
Students
are
everywhere
Diagram ADV COMP
The adverbial complement may be a
prepositional phrase (PP).
S
NP
Aux.
Present
N
V
Students
are
VP
PP
in the hallway
Diagram ADJ COMP
You can also complete a linking verb
sentence with an adjectival complement,
which is usually an adjective phrase (AP).
S
NP
N
Aux.
Present
V
VP
AP
Adj
Students
are smart
Diagram ADJ COMP
But sometimes the adjectival complement
can be a prepositional phrase (PP).
S
NP
Aux.
Present
N
V
Students
are
VP
PP
out of breath
Diagram NOM COMP
Finally, you can complete a linking verb
The
subscript
shows that
the nominal
sentence
with“1”
a nominal
complement,
complement
is the “asame”
as the subject.
which is normally
noun phrase
(N).
S
NP1
Aux.
Present
N
V
Students
are
VP
NP1
N
geniuses