Identifying the Subject and the Verb

In order for a sentence to be complete, it must contain at least one main clause. A main clause contains an independent subject and verb and expresses a complete thought.

A verb is a word that shows action (hit, run, walk) or state of being (is, are, was, were, am). He ran around the block. You are my friend.

The subject is the noun (man, woman, Roger) or pronoun (she, he, they) that performs the verb. The woman walked quickly. He jogged to the store. When looking for the subject and verb, always try to find the verb first. Then, ask who or what performed the verb. Who walked quickly? The woman.

Subjects with Action Verbs During the movie, she talked every two minutes. The speeding car crashed into the wall. During the movie, she talked every two minutes. The speeding car crashed into the wall.

Linking Verbs Linking verbs do not show action. Instead, they connect the subject to additional information about the subject. Common linking verbs include the following: am, is, are, was, were, has been, are being, might have been, become, seem

Subjects with Linking Verbs Roger’s bathroom is a disaster. The bathroom tiles are green with mold. Roger’s bathroom is a disaster. The bathroom tiles are green with mold.

Prepositions Prepositions are usually the words that show physical location or location in time. Common prepositions: in, at, between, among, before, on, around, by, from, of, to, etc. REMEMBER: the subject will never be part of a prepositional phrase. A prepositional phrase starts with a preposition and ends with a noun or pronoun: In the dirty kitchen On the dirt road Between us Among the boxes

Find the subject in the following sentences: Neither of these boys wants to try a piece of pineapple pizza. My dog, along with her seven puppies, has chewed all of the stuffing out of the sofa cushions. Neither of these boys wants to try a piece of pineapple pizza. My dog, along with her seven puppies, has chewed all of the stuffing out of the sofa cushions.

Generally, but not always, the subject comes before the verb. However, there are some exceptions. Around the peach tree are several buzzing bumblebees. Down the street there are many children playing. Around the peach tree are several buzzing bumblebees. Down the street there are many children playing.

The words there and here are never the subject of a sentence. There is a drawbridge over the river. Here is the entrance to the garden. The subject of a sentence is usually not stated in a request or a command. In such sentences, you is the understood subject. Please answer the phone. (Understood you)

Compound Subjects and Verbs Sometimes a sentence can have more than one subject. This is called a compound subject. Moles and bats supposedly have very poor eyesight. A sentence can also have more than one verb. They looked but saw nothing. Jim Thorpe entered and won several events in the 1912 Olympics.