The Fifteen Functions of Words in a Sentence

1. Subject
2. Verb
3. Conjunction
4. Adjective
5. Adverbs
6. Direct Objects
7. Indirect Objects
8. Predicate Nominatives (sometimes called a predicate noun)
9. Predicate Adjectives
10. Prepositions
11. Object of the preposition
12. Participles

Participles are verbs ending in ing that act as adjectives or adverbs. A participial phrase contains all the words that go with the participle.

13

14

cat (1)

is (2)

the(4)

scraggly (4)

Old (4)

Content (9)

L

y

i

n

G (12)

In (10)

Sun (11)

The (4)

(4)

1

2

4

12

6

10

11

4

5

4

1

2

3

12

12

5

4

4

10

11

5

10

11

4

10

11

4

4

4

5

Now you try it!

Diagram the following sentences:

1. I saw Calvin, waiting at the bus stop.
2. Dhanyatha, feeling suddenly brave, attacked the dragon.
3. Rico’s sheep came home, wagging their tails behind them.
4. Slipping quietly into the kitchen, Ashkon surprised everyone.
5. Rowan spied the enemy, lurking quietly outside the fort.
6. We awoke to the sound of Kylie singing at the top of her lungs.
7. Whistling softly, Yaro strode through the forest.
8. Working tirelessly through the night, Myah finished her homework.
9. We heard Aditya hammering in the basement.
10. Soaking wet and starving with hunger, Andrea clambered into the lifeboat.

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