Finding Subjects and 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

Finding Subjects and Verbs Quiz

Top of Form

1. Identify the correct subjects and verbs. The subjects are in bold and the verbs are underlined.

	A)	He depends on her in times of need.
	B)	He depends on her in times of need.
	C)	He depends on herin times of need.
	D)	Hedepends on her in times of need.

2. Identify the correct subjects and verbs. The subjects are in bold and the verbs are underlined.

	A)	Watch your step.
	B)	(You)Watch your step.
	C)	(You) Watch your step.
	D)	Watchyour step.

3. Identify the correct subjects and verbs. The subjects are in bold and the verbs are underlined.

	A)	The insurance agent gave her sound advice.
	B)	The insurance agent gave hersound advice.
	C)	The insurance agentgave her sound advice.
	D)	The insurance agent gave her sound advice.

4. Identify the correct subjects and verbs. The subjects are in bold and the verbs are underlined.

	A)	On the table was her purse.
	B)	On the table was her purse.
	C)	On the tablewas her purse.
	D)	On the table was her purse.

5. Identify the correct subjects and verbs. The subjects are in bold and the verbs are underlined.

	A)	In the newspaper, an interesting article appeared.
	B)	In the newspaper, an interesting article appeared.
	C)	In the newspaper, an interesting articleappeared.
	D)	In the newspaper, an interesting article appeared.

6. Identify the correct subjects and verbs. The subjects are in bold and the verbs are underlined.

	A)	Look before you leap.
	B)	(You)Look before youleap.
	C)	Look beforeyou leap.
	D)	Look before youleap.

7. Identify the correct subjects and verbs. The subjects are in bold and the verbs are underlined.

	A)	Across the road lived her boyfriend.
	B)	Across the road lived her boyfriend.
	C)	Across the roadlived her boyfriend.
	D)	Across the road lived her boyfriend.

8. Identify the correct subjects and verbs. The subjects are in bold and the verbs are underlined.

	A)	We are forced to inhale and exhale this smog-filled air.
	B)	We are forced to inhale and exhale this smog-filled air.
	C)	We are forced to inhale and exhale this smog-filled air.
	D)	Weare forced to inhale and exhale this smog-filled air.

9. Identify the correct subjects and verbs. The subjects are in bold and the verbs are underlined.

	A)	In the gutter, I found a shiny new dime.
	B)	In the gutter, I found a shiny new dime.
	C)	In the gutter, I found a shiny new dime.
	D)	In the gutter, Ifound a shiny new dime.

10. Identify the correct subjects and verbs. The subjects are in bold and the verbs are underlined.

	A)	Around every cloud is a silver lining.
	B)	Around every cloudis a silver lining.
	C)	Around every cloud is a silver lining.
	D)	Around every cloud is a silver lining.

11. Identify the correct subjects and verbs. The subjects are in bold and the verbs are underlined.

	A)	Every one of the roses bloomed.
	B)	Every one of the rosesbloomed.
	C)	Every one of the roses bloomed.
	D)	Every one of the roses bloomed.