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Sentence Diagramming
BI501: HERMENEUTICS
English Grammar – Parts of Speech
 Subject

The Agent of the Verb (the one “doing” the action)
 Predicate/Verb

Verb or Verb Phrase (Existence/Action)
 Adjective

Descriptive word (of a noun)
 Adverb

Description word (of a verb)
 Object/Direct Object

The thing or person to whom the action is done
 Indirect Object

A noun that is affected by the action, that is not the direct object
English Grammar – Parts of Speech
 Subject
 Verb/Predicate (Transitive Verb)
 Direct Object: Receives the action of a transitive verb
 Indirect Object: Receives the direct object

EX: Emil sent his brother a postcard from the hotel.
Kinds of Verbs
 Predicate of Existence
 To be (be, being, was, am, were, been)
 Linking (is)

The key here is identifying the “to be” verb as it is diagrammed
differently.
 I am going. We are staying. She was a bully. He is naughty.
 Predicate of Action
 Intransitive: doesn’t require a direct object
 Transitive: requires a direct object
English Grammar – Parts of Speech
 Prepositions
 Articles
 Definite (the)
 Indefinite (a)
 Adjectives
 Adverbs
 Pronoun
 Relative (who/which)
 Demonstrative (this/that)
Sentence Diagramming
Identify part of speech
1.

S, P, O, D.O, Art., Adv., Adj., Def. Art., Prep.,
2. Start with the subject and its modifiers
3. Then the predicate and its modifiers
4. Finish with the object…
5. Compound subjects will be joined
6. Subject, predicate and direct object stay on the
main line.
7. Modifiers are “attached” to that which they modify.
Examples: Simple Sentences
 Note the main line


The subject is first
The predicate follows the
line that goes vertical line
that goes through the
main horizontal line
 Understood Subjects


Some sentences do not
contain the actual subject,
because it is understood.
Example: Commands
Objective Compliment (Renames the Object)
Examples: Questions
 When diagramming
questions the word order
will change to fit the
construct of the main line.
 What were you reading this
morning?


Remember steps…
1. Identify parts of speech
“You” – Subject
 “were reading” –
Verb/Predicate
 “What” – Object
 “this morning” – Adverbial
modifier

Examples: Compound Subject
Examples: Compound Predicate
Note:
The only line that goes all the way through another line is the one separating the
subject and the verb.
Dotted lines separating compound parts.
Placement of the main part of the sentence does not change.
Examples: Adjectives and Adverbs
Examples: Direct Objects
Examples: Indirect Object
Examples: Prepositional Phrases
Nominative Phrase
Adverbial Participle
Verbs
More Verbs
Examples: Gerunds and Infinitives
Examples: Predicate Nominative (noun) &
Predicate Adjectives
Examples: Direct Address / Interjections
Reflexive Pronouns
Examples: Expletives/Absolutes
Complex Sentences
Building Your Diagram
The subject and predicate
will ALWAYS be on the
main line. The subject
and the verb/predicate
will remain on the main
line regardless of the
complexity of the
sentence – separated by a
line that goes through the
main line.
Building Your Diagram
Modifiers will “dangle” off of
the thing which they modify.
Example: “Morning” modifies the
predicate as it answers the
question when. “This” modifies
“morning” (adjective).
Building Diagrams
Compound subjects or predicates should be extended (above).
Be sure to use a dotted line between the extension. The
“compound” can be many items (2+) and separated by “and”,
“or”, “but” etc…
The extension should be placed on the appropriate line – main
if a compound subject, dangling if object or part of a modifying
phrase, on a tree** if a gerund or infinitive (see slides…).
Modifying Phrases Stand (or Dangle) on Trees
Practice: Identifying Parts of Speech
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Brian’s problem is serious.
The workers are on the roof.
The excitement of the fans is really contagious.
Brevity is the soul of wit.
A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little
minds.
The fighter passed out in the first round.
The students turned around in their seats.
A big crowd came for the parade.
Practice
John 14:5-6
Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where
You are going, how do we know the way?”
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and
the life; no one comes to the Father but through me.”
Practice John 14:5-6
Demonstration: Logos
If you want to practice on your own, pause
presentation and work on one or all of the following:
John 14:6-18
Romans 1:16-17
Hebrews 1:1-3
***REMEMBER THE STEPS***
Romans 1:17 – Exegetical Decision
N.B. The connection of faith to righteousness (5:1), not to “live”.
N.B. The use of “faith” in Ch. 1-4 and “live” in 5-8.
Diagramming – Final Notes
 Always follow the steps
 The most important skill to acquire through this
practice is recognizing key structural elements (parts
of speech).
 If you identify the part of speech correctly, but are a
“little” off on the diagram structure used, that’s okay.