1. Diagramming simple Sentences
Simple subjects and simple predicates

2. Diagramming simple sentences
A simple sentence has one set of simple subjects and simple predicates.

3. Nouns will always go on straight lines in a diagram.
Diagramming Nouns
Nouns name people, places, and things
Nouns can do the action, receive the action directly or indirectly, or complement the subject – but they always name people, places, or things.
Nouns will always go on straight lines in a diagram.

4. Diagramming simple subjects
The simple subject will always go on the horizontal line to the left of the vertical line.
simple subject

5. Diagramming simple subjects
Is the person, place, or thing the sentence is about – or – the people, places, or things the sentence is about.
The subject does the action or “is.”
The subject is often towards the beginning of the sentence.
Abraham Lincoln enhanced the Border States’ ties to the North.
The North chose to fight in order to protect and build the union between all states.
The Articles of Confederation was the first constitution of the United States.

6. Diagramming Simple subjects
Abraham Lincoln enhanced the Border States’ ties to the North.
Abraham Lincoln

7. Diagramming Simple subjects
The North chose to fight in order to protect and build the union between all states.
North

8. Diagramming Simple subjects
The Articles of Confederation was the first constitution of the United States.
Articles of Confederation

9. Verbs will always go on straight lines in a diagram.
Diagramming verbs
Verbs show action or state of being (is, am, are, was, were, be, been, and sometimes being)
Verbs will always go on straight lines in a diagram.

10. Diagramming simple predicates
The simple predicate, verb, will always go on the horizontal line to the right of the vertical line.
simple predicate

11. Diagramming simple Predicates
The verb
The action or “to be.”
The simple predicate is often towards the beginning of the sentence after the simple subject.
Abraham Lincoln enhanced the Border States’ ties to the North.
The North chose to fight in order to protect and build the union between all states.
The Articles of Confederation was the first constitution of the United States.

12. Diagramming Simple predicates
Abraham Lincoln enhanced the Border States’ ties to the North.
enhanced

13. Diagramming Simple predicates
The North chose to fight in order to protect and build the union between all states.
chose

14. Diagramming Simple predicates
The Articles of Confederation was the first constitution of the United States.
was