Super Hard Diagram

[TheParser]

Fantastic diagram. A million thanks.

[Frank Antonson]

Now, here are two harder sentences to diagram. They are a study in ellipsis

If not us, who? If not now, when?

[TheParser]

[QUOTE=Frank Antonson;680252]Now, here are two harder sentences to diagram. They are a study in ellipsis

If not us, who? If not now, when?[/QUOTE

I guess this is one of those situations that cry aloud, "Context!!!"

[Frank Antonson]

I suppose so, but it can still be diagrammed -- with enough "x"'s for understood words.

Notice that there is no verb and no noun in it -- just conjunctions, pronouns, and adverbs.

[TheParser]

Now, here are two harder sentences to diagram. They are a study in ellipsis

If not us, who? If not now, when?

How about:

If [it is ] not us/we, who [will/can do it]? A question after someone's

saying, " We are in no position to stop the violence in X land."

If [it can] not [be done] now, when [can it be done]? A question after

someone's saying,"This controversial policy cannot be passed by

Congress at the present time."

[Frank Antonson]

Yes, back years ago when I showed this to students, I diagrammed it something like that, using as few understood words as possible. I have the diagram in school. On Monday I'll look at it.