Sentence Diagramming

Part 2: Verbs & Verb Phrases

Verb: It’s Not Just Action! Verbs express action or a “state of being.” Examples:

Action “State of Being”

runjumped

bought

was

shoutamwere

is

Verbs Phrases: Not Just One Word! Verbs can be simple (One Word) or

complex (Verb Phrases). Examples:

One Word Verb Phrases

laughedwas

donate

was laughing

cookedshould have boughtis running

am studyingPractice: English Workshop pages 91-92 and 111-112

Verbs & Sentence Diagrams Does this change diagramming?

No; verbs always go on the baseline, immediately to the right of the vertical line.

Verb Phrases always stay together on the baseline.

Let’s see how our knowledge of verb phrases changes the way we diagram sentences.

First, a review:

A Quick Review: Basic Diagrams1. Every diagram begins with a baseline2. The simple subject and the verb are

placed on the baseline.3. Next, the simple subject and the verb are

split in two with a vertical line

Example: The baseball team ran onto the field.

team ran

Simple Subject Verb

Simple Diagrams: Simple Verbs1. Pujols hit a grand slam.

2. Bush Stadium is very old.

3. The pitcher threw a strike.

Pujols hit

Stadium is

pitcher threw

Simple subject

Simple subject

Simple subject

Verb

Verb

Verb

More Diagrams: With Verb Phrases! The sentences below have verb phrases:

Example: Tony LaRusa was yelling at the pitching coach.

Tony LaRusa was yelling

Subject Verb Phrase

Example: Reggie Sanders should have caught the ball.

Reggie Sanders should have caught

Subject Verb Phrase

More Practice: Verbs & Verb Phrases!

1. The White Sox are beating the Angels.

2. The Cardinals defeated the Astros.

3. The umpire was not watching the game.

Subject Verb Phrase

Subject Verb

Subject Verb Phrase

White Sox are beating

Cardinals defeated

umpire was not watching