I never diagrammed a sentence, either, and I did learn some grammar in Spanish class that had never been covered in English. The really funny thing in the more advanced Spanish classes was the kids who were native speakers (or, at least, had learned it at home) with bad grammar arguing with the teacher. It was the equivalent of a kid arguing that "me and her went to the store" must be right, because that's how they've always said it.
ION, I don't feel good! I came to work because I don't think I'm actually sick, but I feel yucky in my tummy and have a headache. Bah.
At home.
I am at work. I guess, it'll be more cold packs for me tonight.
I frelling *love* diagramming sentences. Yes, you may all mock me now. But seriously, it's fun! You get to take them apart and go "oooh, that's how they work!" It's like the mathy part of English.
I'll see if anyone has any safety pins. (Do I own a safety pin? I don't believe I've ever bought one in my life.)
It was the equivalent of a kid arguing that "me and her went to the store" must be right, because that's how they've always said it.
It's not just kids who argue this, BTW. And their defense is "Well, you *understood* what I meant, so what's the problem?"
Other than the fact that you sound ignorant, no problem.
I seriously fear it's a losing battle, though. More and more people figure that, as long as you can make yourself understood, grammar doesn't matter. Soon we'll have devolved into grunts and gestures.
Oh I used to love to diagram a sentence. Like disecting words. And no surprise teeth like the fetal pig.
It's like the mathy part of English.
Mixing math and English? Sounds like my marriage to an actuary.
Ooh, there was a safety pin in my desk!
It's not just kids who argue this, BTW. And their defense is "Well, you *understood* what I meant, so what's the problem?"
Oy. It's like that email thing with all the letters in the words mixed up, except for the first and last. Have you seen that? It's weirdly understandable. But does NOT mean that spelling is meaningless!
I remember diagramming sentences in middle school -- at a public school in the 80s. I don't think we spent a huge amount of time on it, but I found it interesting.
