1. The Sentence and Its Parts
Subjects in Unusual Order

2. 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

3. 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”

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

5. 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

6. 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.

7. 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

8. 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

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