Subjects and Verbs

What is a sentence? A sentence is a word group that contains a subject and a verb that expresses a complete thought. Dana poured an entire box of nails onto the kitchen floor. - SENTENCE Chris watched every minute of the movie. SENTENCE

NOT A SENTENCE After Jordon went to see her sister. It may have a subject and verb, but it’s not a complete thought.

Subject and verbs The subject is a word or word group that tells whom or what the sentence is about. The verb is a word or word group that tells something about the subject, many times what’s happening to the subject.

Compound subjects and verbs Compound subject consists of two or more subjects joined by a conjunction and share the same verb Gabby and Nohemi like to fight. Compound verb consists of two or more verbs that are joined by a conjunction and that have the same subject. Sara hits and whacks her brother when he pesters her.

How to find subject? To find the subject of a sentence, ask Who? or What? before the verb. In the deep, dark hallway, Sebastian lurks. If the sentence is a command, then the subject of the sentence is YOU. Example - Run away. The subject of the sentence will never be in a prepositional phrase.

The subject in a sentence expressing a question usually follows the verb or comes in the middle of the verb. Is Zach going to the dance? The word there or here is almost never the subject of a sentence. Here is the movie ticket.

Practice 1. The most famous sea serpent is really a lake serpent. 2. In the West Highlands of Scotland is a beautiful lake, Loch Ness. 3. In 1933 someone supposedly saw a sea serpent in the deep waters of Loch Ness.

More practice 4. After that, many persons also reported sightings of “Nessie,” the sea serpent. 5. At the time of this book, however, no conclusive proof had yet been offered. 6. In the Himalayas there is the Abominable Snowman.

Homework Worksheet  Find the subjects and verbs.