Diagramming Basics

Front 1

subject

Back 1

tells who or what the sentence is about
EXAMPLE: SALLY likes to listen to music.

Front 2

predicate noun

Back 2

follows a linking verb and identifies or renames the subject
EXAMPLE: Toy Story 3 is its TITLE.

Front 3

predicate adjective

Back 3

follows a linking verb and describes the subject
EXAMPLE: The movie sounds WONDERFUL.

Front 4

adverb

Back 4

modifies a verb, an adjective, or another adverb. tells how, when, where, or to what extent about the word
EXAMPLE: She walked CAREFULLY through the school hallways.

Front 5

prepositional phrases

Back 5

begins with a preposition, ends with the object of the preposition, and includes any words that modify the object
EXAMPLE: Jet is a gem OF INTENSE BLACK COLOR.

Front 6

conjunctions

Back 6

used to connect with or groups of words. and, but, or, both....and, niether....nor, either....or, whether....or
EXAMPLE: Jimmy AND Brittany went to go see the movie together.

Front 7

direct object

Back 7

recieves the action of a transitive verb and answers the question whom? or what?
EXAMPLE: Dragonflies do not harm PEOPLE. (harm who? people)

Front 8

indirect object

Back 8

tells who or what was affected by the action
EXAMPLE: I showed VINCE the fireflies. (I showed who the fireflies? Vince)

Front 9

predicate

Back 9

tells what the subject is, has, does, or feels
EXAMPLE: Ralph JUMPED high in the air.