Subjects and Verbs An Overview of Basic Sentence Structure

Describe this picture: The mother played with the boy. The boy is excited. They have a pink toy box. The mother and the boy are communicating.

Subjects: All sentences must have a subject. The subject is who or what causes the action or expresses a state of being. The mother played with the boy. The boy is excited. They have a pink toy box. The mother and the boy are communicating.

More on Subjects: Simple Subject: Complete Subject: Compound Subject: Implied Subject: The judge’s reputation for order in the courtroom is well known. All of my closest friends threw me a surprise birthday party. Susan and George got married last year. Close the door, please. (you)

Subject Danger: Prepositional Phrases: Here and There: The daughter of my parents’ friends lives in New York. The disappearance of those three girls in Florida is all over the news. Here is your new cell phone. There are three girls in my family.

Strange Subjects Some subjects are always singular: Some subjects are always singular: Either – Either of those is fine. Neither – Neither of them ever calls me. One – One of your teachers lives on our street. None – None of these books seems interesting. Each – Each of your friends has a nice car. Collective nouns are singular: Collective nouns are singular: Team – The team of executives is flying out to a convention this afternoon. Furniture – This furniture (the couch, tables, and chairs) looks good in this room.

Fussy Subjects Some quantity words are always used with a plural verb: Many – Many people are underemployed. A few- A few of the stores stay open until midnight. Some quantity words can be either singular or plural Most –Most of the apples are ripe. Most of the cheese is bad. Some -Some post offices have remained open. Some milk has been contaminated. All -All of the dogs are barking. All of the rice is brown.

Verbs: All sentences must have a verb. The verb indicates what the subject is doing or being. The mother played with the boy. The boy is excited. They have a pink toy box. The mother and the boy are communicating.

More on Verbs: Simple Subject: Complete Subject: Compound Subject: The children have a dog. We have been studying for three hours! Last weekend I cleaned my house and went to the movies.

ID Complete Subjects and Complete Verbs 1. Mahatma Gandhi gave his life for India and for peace. 2. Through a practice of nonviolent resistance, he led his people to freedom from the British. 3. There was only good in his behavior and his accomplishments. 4. His fasts, writings, and speeches inspired the people of India. 5. Gandhi urged the tolerance of all religions.

ID Complete Subjects and Complete Verbs 6. Finally, the British granted freedom to India. 7. Some leaders in India and a few foreign agitators had questioned the freedom of religion. 8. Gandhi, the Indian prince of peace, was killed by an intolerant religious leader. 9. People of the world remember and celebrate the life of this heroic leader.

Choose the Correct Verb 1. The driver that cut me off on the streets ( is are) dangerous. 2. The time we spent in the mountains ( was were ) relaxing. 3. The people in line at the DMV ( seems seem ) angry. 4. It’s ironic that so many people who ( claims claim ) to be religious ( treats treat ) others terribly. 5. Driving on the LA freeways ( makes make) me a nervous wreck. 6. For most animals, an under the skin chip ( is are ) the best safeguard against a lost pet.

Choose the Correct Verb 7.Neither my parents nor yours ( has have) enough money to pay for our wedding. 8.Each of these essays ( deserves deserve ) a passing score. 9.Some of your friends ( calls call) the house too late. 10. Some of the gas ( has have ) been stolen out of my car! 11. There ( is are ) a lot of money in the account: ten thousand dollars! 12. Two officers in the Royal Air Force ( is are ) receiving medals for outstanding service.