Diagramming Sentences

I never had to diagram sentences for school.

I think it’s something I would have liked, so I’m giving it a shot now. These might not be done correctly, so let me know if I got any wrong.

I sentence you to a fine of $10,000.

example of a sentence diagram for being sentenced to a fine

I sentence you to one year in rehab.

example of a sentence diagram for being sentenced to a year in rehab

But that doesn’t look right, because the punishment is rehab, not a year. Let me change it so that the object is rehab, like it should be.

example of a sentence diagram for being sentenced to a year in rehab

But that doesn’t look right either. Because what’s the difference between that and this one?

I sentence you to rehab in one year

example of a sentence diagram for being sentenced to rehab in a year

The sentence diagrams look the same, but the meaning is significantly different. The solution, of course, is to change the wording to I sentence you to rehab for one year.

Next…

I sentence you to life in prison with no chance of parole.

example of a sentence diagram for being sentenced to life in prison

That has the same problem as the last one. Let’s try the same change:

I sentence you to prison for life with no chance of parole.

example of a sentence diagram for being sentenced to prison for life

But I want to write it the original way and diagram it correctly so that the sentence is prison instead of life.

Oh well.

Now, just for fun, I will diagram a verdict instead of a sentence.

We find the defendant not guilty on all counts.

example of a sentence diagram for being sentenced to prison for life

Diagramming sentences, diagramming verdicts, what else is there? Diagramming plea bargains? diagramming charges?

Ok, I’ll stop there.

and when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews brought charges against him, asking for a sentence of condemnation against him.

Acts 25:15

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This little article thingy was written by Some Guy sometime around 6:24 pm and has been carefully placed in the Humor category.

8 Responses to “Diagramming Sentences”

  1. erin Says:

    Hmmmmmm, I have no clue. We are only doing 2nd grade work here.

  2. Charity Says:

    I had to diagram sentences in 6th grade. You were 3 years behind me. So they stopped making kids do that some time between you and me??

  3. Buckley Says:

    For fun, you could try diagramming some of the Apostle Paul’s sentences. Good times.

  4. phoebe Says:

    I diagrammed sentences in high school. Did you not take English with Terpstra?!?

  5. Some Guy Says:

    I remember much from Terpstra (“Irony is a situation or event in which …”, “Listen to the old-timer at Sulphur Creek”, etc.) but I don’t remember ever having diagrammed a sentence.

    Charity, you have a 6th grader – do they diagram sentences in his school?

  6. Charity Says:

    Um, I have a 7th grader. And no, I don’t think he has done sentence diagramming. Math has changed too. I have a hard time helping him.

  7. Some Guy Says:

    Seventh grade? Where has the time gone?

    I think I meant “you had a 6th grader” …

  8. Burrill Says:

    Math has changed? Of course it has — now 2+2=whatever makes you feel best about yourself.

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