help diagram sentence: Sandra and I are planning to go to the mall tomorrow, but today I am working on my paper.
This sentence has two independent clauses.
First:
Subject: Sandra and I
Verb: are planning
Infinitive phrase (direct object): to go to the mall tomorrow
If you analyze the second clause, we'll be glad to check it for you.
You will find this site helpful.
http://homeworktips.about.com/od/englishhomework/ss/diagram.htm
http://members.cox.net/teachro/diagramming/diagramming.htm
At this site, click on Compound/Complex Sentences, then on Compound Sentence.
Sandra ... tomorrow is your first clause.
"but" is your conjunction
The rest of the sentence is the second clause.
Notice that in your first clause, there is a compound subject. Use this:
http://members.cox.net/teachro/diagramming/nounsverbs/compsub.htm
Make sure you are clear on all parts of both clauses before you begin. Use the other links on the first website I gave you above if you have questions about other parts.
And please repost if you have further questions.
To diagram the sentence "Sandra and I are planning to go to the mall tomorrow, but today I am working on my paper," we can break it down into its different parts.
1. Subject: The subject of the sentence is "Sandra and I." This is a compound subject because it consists of two individuals.
2. Verb Phrase: The verb phrase in this sentence is "are planning to go." It includes the helping verb "are" and the main verb "planning to go." The main action here is the planning to go.
3. Object: The object of the sentence is "to the mall." The action of planning is directed toward going to the mall.
4. Adverbial Phrase: The adverbial phrase in this sentence is "tomorrow." It gives more information about when the action of going to the mall will take place.
5. Coordinating Conjunction: The coordinating conjunction "but" is used to connect two clauses in the sentence.
6. Second Subject and Verb Phrase: The second subject in this sentence is "I," and the verb phrase is "am working on." The verb phrase includes the helping verb "am" and the main verb "working on."
7. Second Object: The second object in this sentence is "my paper." The action of working is directed toward the paper.
Overall, the diagram would look like this:
+-------------------------- subject ----------------------------------+
| |
Sandra +---->and<----+ +----> are planning to go to the mall <------+
I | | | |
| +------------object------------+ | |
planning the mall +----- to ----+ tomorrow
|
+---------+
|
+---- coordinating +----+
| conjunction |
but |
| |
|
+--- subject ----+
| |
I +---+ +---->am working<---+
+---------+ |
| |
on +---- object ----+
| |
+-------------- my paper |
| |