Sentence Deconstruction Procedure

The following procedure will allow you to destruct and analyze a sentence.

1. Identify all conjugated verbs and the subjects of those verbs. Every clause must have one and only one subject/predicate pair to form complete thought. The clause can have mulitple actors performing the same action or actions, and the actor or actors can perform multiple actions.
2. Next, determine whether the clause forms a complete thought by itself. A clause that can form a complete sentence by itself is an independent clause which is the main clause of the sentence.
3. Identify any conjunctions and relative pronouns. A coordinating conjunction will separate two independent clauses. If the conjunction is a subordinating conjunction, then the clause is a subordinating adverbial clause that modifies a verb. If the clause contains a relative pronoun, then the clause is a subordinate adjective clause or a noun clause.
4. Next, determine the purpose of each clause.
   1. If the clause can make sense by itself, then it is an independent clause.
   2. If the clause serves to modify something in another clause, then the clause is a subordinate clause.
      • A subordinate clause that modifies a verb is an adverbial clause.
      • A subordinate clause that modifies a noun is an adjective clause.
      • A subirdibate clause that acts as the subject or object of the verb is a noun clause.
   3. Next, identify the modifying phrases in each clause. If the phrase modifies an element of the subject of the clause, then it is a part of the subject. If the phrase modifies an element of the predicate, then it is part of the predicate.
   4. Next, determine exactly what element each phrase modifies.
      • A phrase that begins with a proposition is a propositional phrase.
      • If the phrase modifies a verb, then it is an adverbial prepositional phrase.
      • If the phrase modifies a noun, then it is an adjectival prepositional phrase.
      • A phrase that begins with an infinitive (e.g., to eat, to love) is an infinitive phrase.
      • A phrase that begins with a particle is a participle phrase.
        • A past participle phrase modifies a noun or pronoun.
        • A present participle can modify a noun or a verb.
      • Next, pay attention to transitional words and phrases. They are important to the flow and pace of the text. In addition to style, adverbs such as however, in addition, therefore, thus, accordingly, indicate a relationship between the sentences, and therefore, to the meaning of the text.

After having completely deconstructed the sentence into its elements, you will be able to analyze the elements to determine their relationship with the other elements in the sentence. This analysis will help you gain a deeper understanding of the purpose and meaning of the sentence. If you have written the sentence yourself, then you can reconstruct the sentence to improve its purpose and meaning. If someone else has written the sentence, you will have a better understanding of the quality and meaning of the sentence.

By deconstructing other authors’ sentences, you will learn how they exploit the power of clauses, phrases and words to express complex ideas and topics. ­

Practice these comcepts with this quiz.