The Sentence and Its Parts Subjects in Unusual Order

Subjects in Unusual Order In most questions, the subject comes after the verb or between parts of the verb phrase. Are you ready? Have you packed a bag? Are=verb You=subject Have you packed a bag? (verb subject phrase) = have packed is verb phrase

Commands The subject of a command is usually you. Often, you doesn’t appear in the sentence because it is implied, or understood. Get into the car. Get=verb The implied subject is “you”

Inverted Sentences In an inverted sentence, the subject comes after the verb. Off on a trip went the happy family. Went=verb Family=subject

Here or There In some sentences beginning with the words here or there, the subject follows the verb. You find the subject by looking at the words that follow the verb. Here is the state park. There are many campsites available. Is=verb Park=subject are=verb campsites=subject

Finding Subjects and Verbs in Unusual Positions In the following sentences, underline the simple subject once and the verb or verb phrase twice. Is the subject is understood, write (You) in parentheses next to the sentence.

Over the hill came a park ranger. Start the campfire carefully. Here is the food for our supper. Near our tent stood a large deer. Was the deer alone or with a group? Look at the stars in the sky tonight. Can you spot the big dipper? Here comes and owl above the treetops. Park ranger=subject; came=verb You=subject; start=verb is-=verb; food=subject Stood=verb; large deer=subject Was=verb; deer=subject Look=verb; stars in the sky=subject Can spot=verb phrase; you=subject Comes=verb; owl=subject

Using Active Voice In the following sentence, underline the simple subject once and the verb twice. Then rewrite each sentence so that the subject comes before the verb. Example: Through the woods scurried a frightened rabbit. A frightened rabbit scurried through the woods. Scurried=verb rabbit=subject

Try It! Around the campfire sat the entire family. In the deep lake swam many fish. In the meadow grew beautiful wildflowers.