Doug is correct. What you are referring to is diagramming sentences. I can’t remember the last time I actually did diagram a sentence. I miss that. It was always a joy because I didn’t need to be worried about being called on. I recognized at an early age that many people have struggles in connection with English grammar. Thus, I didn’t worry about making mistakes. I knew that my classmates were in it with me. (Math class would be my pummeling.)

When I tutor, I see a lot of run-on sentences. You are not alone in your struggle.

I have met people like the ones in your story. The most obnoxious was a professor that tried to tell the class how to punctuate a sentence. He punctuated it incorrectly. Even after four students, myself included, tried to reason with him, he insisted that he is an expert; therefore, he knows everything. Bloody Hell.

It was kind of you to try and help your fellow workers seem more professional. However, as you know, some people don’t want help. It is a strike to an individual’s ego.