Finding Subjects and Verbs

Grammar Table of Contents: Finding Subjects and Verbs Subject and Verb Agreement Pronouns Who and Whom Whoever and Whomever Who vs. Which vs. That Adjectives and Adverbs Problems with Prepositions Effective Writing

NOTE: We will use the convention of a thin underline for subjects and a thick underline for verbs.

Being able to find the right subject and verb will help you correct errors of agreement.

Example:

The list of items is/are on the desk.

Being able to identify the subject and verb correctly will also help you with commas and semicolons as you will see later.

Definition. A Verb is a word that shows action (runs, hits, slides) or state of being (is, are, was, were, am, and so on).

Examples:

He ran around the block. You are my friend.

Rule 1. If a verb follows to, it is called an infinitive phrase and is not the main verb. You will find the main verb either before or after the infinitive phrase. Examples: I like to walk. The efforts to get her elected succeeded.

Definition. A Subject is the noun or pronoun that performs the verb.

Example:

The woman hurried. Woman is the subject.

Rule 2. A subject will come before a phrase beginning with of. Example: A bouquet of yellow roses will lend color and fragrance to the room.

Rule 3. To find the subject and verb, always find the verb first. Then ask who or what performed the verb. Examples: The jet engine passed inspection. Passed is the verb. Who or what passed? The engine, so engine is the subject. If you included the word jet as the subject, lightning will not strike you. Technically, jet is an adjective here and is part of what is known as the complete subject. From the ceiling hung the chandelier. The verb is hung. Now, if you think ceiling is the subject, slow down. Ask who or what hung. The answer is chandelier, not ceiling. Therefore, chandelier is the subject.

Rule 4. Any request or command such as "Stop!" or "Walk quickly." has the understood subject you because if we ask who is to stop or walk quickly, the answer must be you. Example: (You) Please bring me some coffee. Bring is the verb. Who is to do the bringing? You understood.

Rule 5.	Sentences often have more than one subject, more than one verb, or pairs of subjects and verbs.
	Examples:	I like cake and he likes ice cream. Two pairs of subjects and verbs
		He and I like cake. Two subjects and one verb
		She lifts weights and jogs daily. One subject and two verbs