We have received so many requests for help in diagramming the Pledge of Allegiance (United States, post-1954), that we have included our version of this diagram here. Another way of diagramming the two major prepositional phrases (beginning with "to") would be to put them both under "pledge" and to connect the two to's with a horizontal dotted line with "and" typed above it. That would lead to a very wide diagram.Please note that an earlier version of this diagram included the prepositional phrases under "allegiance," but Dennis Beach (of St. John's University/College of St. Benedict in Collegeville, Minnesota) convinces us that they properly modify the verb "pledge." Mary Steele, another Guide user, has made other helpful suggestions.
The final prepositional phrase, "for all," is diagrammed in such a way that it will modify both "liberty" and "justice." If your interpretation is that the phrase is meant to modify only "justice," then the phrase will be attached to the horizontal line below that word and there will be no dotted line to "liberty."
Some people would put "the United States of America" all on one line, since it is, indeed, one proper noun. This is probably correct, and it is shown as an option below. In our original version, the country's name is shown as one word, "States," with accompanying modifiers. Ann F. Reyna suggests that we place "States" on a pedestal which would allow us to place modifiers under it.
"One nation. . . " is regarded as an appositive for "Republic" in this rendering.
If you have alternative rendering for the placement and function of "for which it stands" (or of the entire sentence, for that matter) we would be happy to hear of it. Use the e-mail icon to the left.
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