Finding the Subject of Sentences

What is the SUBJECT of a sentence? The SUBJECT is the naming part. It tells you WHO the sentence is about.

How do I find the subject? 1. When you read the sentence, ask yourself “WHO is this sentence about?”. The person or thing the sentence is about is the SUBJECT. 2. Look for the action word. Usually, the words in front of the action words in a telling sentence are the SUBJECT.

The dog chased the mailman. EXAMPLE The dog chased the mailman. WHO is this sentence about? THE DOG The SUBJECT is THE DOG. The dog chased the mailman.

Al’s dad drives the truck. PRACTICE Al’s dad drives the truck. WHO is this sentence about? Al’s dad The SUBJECT is AL’S DAD. Al’s dad drives the truck.

PRACTICE Al makes a big splash. WHO is this sentence about? Al The SUBJECT is AL. Al makes a big splash.

PRACTICE Frogs croak. WHO is this sentence about? Frogs The SUBJECT is FROGS. Frogs croak.

PRACTICE He grabs his things. WHO is this sentence about? He The SUBJECT is HE. He grabs his things.

The SUBJECT is BROTHER AND I. Brother and I did our homework. PRACTICE Brother and I did our homework. WHO is this sentence about? Brother and I The SUBJECT is BROTHER AND I. Brother and I did our homework.

PRACTICE Sally played on my team. WHO is this sentence about? Sally The SUBJECT is SALLY. Sally played on my team.

The SUBJECT is KELLY AND BESS. Kelly and Bess painted a picture. PRACTICE Kelly and Bess painted a picture. WHO is this sentence about? Kelly and Bess The SUBJECT is KELLY AND BESS. Kelly and Bess painted a picture.

My mother and her friend had a party. PRACTICE My mother and her friend had a party. WHO is this sentence about? My mother and her friend The SUBJECT is MY MOTHER AND HER FRIEND. My mother and her friend had a party.

COMPLETE THE INDEPENDENT PRACTICE HANDOUT

INDEPENDENT PRACTICE Kittens purr. WHO is this sentence about? Kittens The SUBJECT is KITTENS. Kittens purr.

The SUBJECT is MOM AND DAD. Mom and Dad went to the store. INDEPENDENT PRACTICE Mom and Dad went to the store. WHO is this sentence about? Mom and Dad The SUBJECT is MOM AND DAD. Mom and Dad went to the store.

The SUBJECT is BOBBY AND JIMMY. Bobby and Jimmy played ball. INDEPENDENT PRACTICE Bobby and Jimmy played ball. WHO is this sentence about? Bobby and Jimmy The SUBJECT is BOBBY AND JIMMY. Bobby and Jimmy played ball.

INDEPENDENT PRACTICE Flowers bloom. WHO is this sentence about? The SUBJECT is FLOWERS. Flowers bloom.

Mom likes it when I get all A’s. INDEPENDENT PRACTICE Mom likes it when I get all A’s. WHO is this sentence about? Mom The SUBJECT is MOM. Mom likes it when I get all A’s.

INDEPENDENT PRACTICE Sue went swimming. WHO is this sentence about? The SUBJECT is SUE. Sue went swimming.

The SUBJECT is MY STUDENTS. My students do their homework every night. INDEPENDENT PRACTICE My students do our homework every night. WHO is this sentence about? My students The SUBJECT is MY STUDENTS. My students do their homework every night.

INDEPENDENT PRACTICE Paula, Sue, and Pat live in Boston. WHO is this sentence about? Paula, Sue, and Pat The SUBJECT is PAULA, SUE, AND PAT. Paula, Sue, and Pat live in Boston.

INDEPENDENT PRACTICE Carla made a homerun. WHO is this sentence about? The SUBJECT is CARLA. Carla made a homerun.

The SUBJECT is UNCLE JOE. Uncle Joe plays ball with Sam and me. INDEPENDENT PRACTICE Uncle Joe plays ball with Sam and me. WHO is this sentence about? Uncle Joe The SUBJECT is UNCLE JOE. Uncle Joe plays ball with Sam and me.

INDEPENDENT PRACTICE Franny gave Ginny a hug. WHO is this sentence about? Franny The SUBJECT is FRANNY. Franny gave Ginny a hug.

REMEMBER: The SUBJECT is the naming part. It tells you WHO the sentence is about. When you read the sentence, ask yourself “WHO is this sentence about?”. The person or thing the sentence is about is the SUBJECT.