0
Anonymous Posted 14 years ago
Grammar

Diamgraming sentences

How would you diagram the following complex sentence.
"you can never cross the ocean unless you have the courage to lose sight of the shore."
  

Top answer

This is how I see it: The first "you" is the subject of this sentence. "can cross" is the verb of the sentence. "never" is an adv.

— Anonymous

  • This is how I see it: The first "you" is the subject of this sentence.
  • "can cross" is the verb of the sentence.
  • "never" is an adv.
  • modifying the verb.
  • "the ocean" is the direct obj.
Free · every Monday

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.

2 Answers
0
This is how I see it:

The first "you" is the subject of this sentence.

"can cross" is the verb of the sentence.

"never" is an adv. modifying the verb.

"the ocean" is the direct obj. of the verb.

"unless you have the courage to lose sight of the shore" is an adverbial clause modifying the adv. "never."

Within the adverbial clause itself:
0
0
Hello, Anonymous:

I agree with most of Anonymous No. 2's excellent analysis.

IMHO:

(1) "to lose sight of the shore" is an infinitive phrase that modifies "courage." (It describes what kind of courage.)

(2) "of the shore" is a prepositional phrase that modifies "sight."  (It answers the question: lose sight of what?)
0

Related Questions