Sentence Diagramming Guide: Section 15 - Verbal/Verbal Phrase
See the examples for this section

If the verbal phrase is the subject:
1. Draw the tip of an arrow pointing upward on the line for the subject. From the tip, extend a line.
2. Draw a horizontal line on top of the other one.
3. Draw one step of a staircase on the left side of the line. You just formed the "tree."
4. When you write the gerund (Gerund), curve it down the "step." There will probably be more words to the phrase. Diagram them on the horizontal line of the "tree" as if the gerund was the verb. A gerund is word that looks like a verb but is part of phrase that acts as a noun or an adjective. (i.e. You may diagram a direct object, adverb, or adjective.) (See pictures.)

If the verbal phrase is a modifier:
1. Unlike the verbal phrase when it is the subject, the tree is not used. The structure looks like a prepositional phrase, but the gerund curves down the slanted line and continues onto the horizontal line. (See Prepositional Phrase for reference.)
2. Again, you may be diagramming a direct object, adverb, or adjective as part of the verbal phrase.

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