Subjects!

Subjects? You mean like science, English, and math? NO you goofballs! A subject is who or what a sentence is about (performed the verb) A subject is almost always a noun or pronoun. This is a sentence job and not a part of speech!

How to Identify the Subject 1) Find the main verb or verb phrase in the sentence. 2) Ask yourself “Who or what performed the verb?” That will point you to the subject!

WHITE BOARDS OUT! (Level 0) 5…4…3…2…1

Examples of Subjects The hot sand burned my feet. 1) Find the verb. The hot sand burned my feet. 2) Who or what burned my feet? The hot sand burned my feet.

Examples of Subjects The book is much better than the movie. 1) Find the verb. The book is much better than the movie. 2) Who or what is much better than the movie? The book is much better than the movie.

Examples of Subjects Everyone enjoys a relaxing day at the beach. 1) Find the verb. Everyone enjoys a relaxing day at the beach. 2) Who or what enjoys a relaxing day at the beach? Everyone enjoys a relaxing day at the beach.

Difficult-to-Identify Subjects There are three types of sentences that hide the subject. 1) Sentences beginning with “Here” or “There.” –They appear to be the subject. However, as adverbs, they can’t be! 2) Questions (Interrogative sentences) –Questions in English mix everything up! 3) Commands (Imperative sentences) –The subject is IMPLIED, but not directly stated.

Beginning with “Here” or There” Add a step: Flip it! Here is the winner of the competition! 1)Flip it. The winner of the competition is here. 2) Find the verb. The winner of the competition is here. 3) Ask “Who or what ‘is here’?” The winner of the competition is here.

Beginning with “Here” or There” There were thirty students in the class. 1)Flip it. Thirty students in the class were there. 2) Find the verb. Thirty students in the class were there. 3) Ask “Who or what ‘is there’?” Thirty students in the class were there.

Questions/Interrogative Sentences Add a step: Make it a statement using all of the same words. Was the stolen ipod new? 1)Make it a statement. The stolen ipod was new. 2) Find the verb. The stolen ipod was new. 3) Ask “Who or what ‘was new’?” The stolen ipod was new.

Questions/Interrogative Sentences Would we survive the powerful storm? 1)Make it a statement. We would survive the powerful storm. 2) Find the verb. We would survive the powerful storm. 3) Ask “Who or what ‘would survive’?” We would survive the powerful storm.

Commands/Imperative Sentences Subject is implied since the subject is being directly spoken to: (You) Do not talk during the test. 1)Find the verb. 2)Do not talk during the test. 2) Ask “Who or what does the verb?” (You) Do not talk during the test.

Commands/Imperative Sentences Please complete the reading for homework. 1)Find the verb. Please complete the reading for homework. 2) Ask “Who or what does the verb?” (You) Please complete the reading for homework. Craft your own imperative sentence!

What’s a Predicate? The verb (and occasionally everything after it) Tells what the subject does, or what happens to the subject “Mr. Morton is the subject of the sentence, and what the predicate says he does.” “Find the predicate”= “Find the verb”

So why does this even MATTER? Once again, writing, writing, writing, my little minions. In order to write a complete sentence, you MUST include both a subject and a predicate. Without both, you’re writing a fragment. With too many, you’re writing a run-on or comma splice. What were our guidelines about verbs again? –Less is more! –Use active verbs! Show, don’t tell!

Let’s Practice! Find the subjects within the following sentences. 1. Although tired, the children stayed up until midnight. 2. Do not forget to check homework online. (You) 3. Will you be on time to class? 4. I will attend the party on Wednesday. 5. There are five assignments for Thanksgiving break.

The End! …or is it?