Subjects and Verbs
Finding Subjects and Verbs
Being able to find the right subject and verb will help you correct errors concerning 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, etc.).
| 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. |
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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. |
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| Rule 3 |
To find the subject and verb, always find the verb first. Then ask who or what performed the verb. |
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| 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. |
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| Rule 5 |
Sentences often have more than one subject, more than one verb, or pairs of subjects and verbs. |