Chapter 9.1 Subjects & Verbs
Components of a Sentence: Subjects & Verbs
Clearly written, complete sentences require key information: a subject, a verb and a complete idea. A sentence needs to make sense on its own. Sometimes, complete sentences are also called independent clauses. A clause is a group of words that may make up a sentence. An independent clause is a group of words that may stand alone as a complete, grammatically correct thought.
The following sentences show independent clauses (complete thoughts).
All complete sentences have at least one independent clause (complete thought). You can identify an independent clause by reading it on its own and looking for the subject and the verb.
Subjects
When you read a sentence, you may first look for the subject, or what the sentence is about. The subject usually appears at the beginning of a sentence as a noun or a pronoun. A noun is a word that identifies a person, place, thing, or idea. A pronoun is a word that replaces a noun. Common pronouns are I, he, she, it, you, they, and we. Subjects answer the question, “Who or what is this sentence about?” A sentence must have a “who” or “what” to do the action (verb).
In the following sentences, the subject is highlighted yellow.
- Malik is the project manager for this project. He will give us our assignments.
- In these sentences, the subject is a person: Malik. The pronoun He replaces and refers to Malik.
- The computer lab is where we will work. It will be open twenty-four hours a day.
- In the first sentence, the subject is a place: computer lab. In the second sentence, the pronoun Its substitutes for computer lab as the subject.
- The project will run for three weeks. It will have a quick turnaround.
- In the first sentence, the subject is a thing: project. In the second sentence, the pronoun It stands in for the project.
Compound Subjects
A sentence may have more than one person, place, or thing as the subject. These subjects are called compound subjects. Compound subjects are useful when you want to discuss several subjects at once.
Examples
Desmond and Maria have been working on that design for almost a year. Books, magazines, and online articles are all good resources.
Josefina, Carlos, and Esteban are cousins. Working out, hiking, and shopping are their favorite pastimes.
Prepositional Phrases
You will often read a sentence that has more than one noun or pronoun in it. You may encounter a group of words that includes a preposition with a noun or a pronoun.
Prepositions connect a noun, pronoun, or verb to another word that describes or modifies that noun, pronoun, or verb. Common prepositions include in, on, under, near, by, with, and about.
A group of words that begins with a preposition is called a prepositional phrase. A prepositional phrase begins with a preposition and modifies or describes a word. It cannot act as the subject of a sentence. The following circled phrases are examples of prepositional phrases.
Some prepositional phrases (prepositions in italics):
- After the rain
- Between you and me
- By the way
- For my employer
- In the winter
- Of the utmost importance
- On the yellow brick road
- Over the rainbow
- To the store
- Under the bed
- Until the cows come home
- With a heavy heart
Exercise 9.1.1
Read the following sentences. On a separate sheet of paper, identify the subjects and the prepositional phrases.
- The gym is open until nine o’clock tonight.
- We went to the store to get some ice.
- The student with the most extra credit will win a homework pass.
- Maya and Tia found an abandoned cat by the side of the road.
- The driver of that pickup truck skidded on the ice.
- Anita won the race with time to spare.
- The people who work for that company were surprised about the merger.
- Working in haste means that you are more likely to make mistakes.
- The soundtrack has over sixty songs in languages from around the world.
- His latest invention does not work, but it has inspired the rest of us.
Verbs
Once you locate the subject of a sentence, you can move on to the next part of a complete sentence: the verb. A verb is often an action word that shows what the subject is doing. A verb can also link the subject to a describing word. There are three types of verbs that you can use in a sentence: action verbs, linking verbs, or helping verbs.
Action Verbs
A verb that connects the subject to an action is called an action verb. An action verb answers the question what is the subject doing? In the following sentences, the action verbs are in italics.
- The dog barked at the jogger.
- He gave a short speech before we ate.
Linking Verbs
A verb can often connect the subject of the sentence to a describing word. This type of verb is called a linking verb because it links the subject to a describing word. In the following sentences, the linking verbs are in italics.
- The coat was old and dirty.
- The clock seemed broken.
If you have trouble telling the difference between action verbs and linking verbs, remember that an action verb shows that the subject is doing something, whereas a linking verb simply connects the subject to another word that describes or modifies the subject. A few verbs can be used as either action verbs or linking verbs.
Action Verb: The boy looked for his glove.
Linking Verb: The boy looked tired.
Although both sentences use the same verb, the two sentences have completely different meanings. In the first sentence, the verb describes the boy’s action. In the second sentence, the verb describes the boy’s appearance.
Helping Verbs
A third type of verb you may use as you write is a helping verb. Helping verbs are verbs that are used with the main verb to describe a mood or tense. Helping verbs are usually a form of be, do, or have. The word can is also used as a helping verb. Below, the subjects are highlighted yellow, and the verbs are in italics.
- The restaurant is known for its variety of dishes.
- She does speak up when prompted in class.
- We have seen that movie three times.
- She can tell when someone walks on her lawn.
(is, does, have, and can are helping verbs and known, speak up, seen, and tell are main verbs)
Tip
Whenever you write or edit sentences, keep the subject and verb in mind. As you write, ask yourself these questions to keep yourself on track:
Subject: Who or what is the sentence about?
Verb: What is the subject doing? OR, Which word shows an action or links the subject to a description?
Exercise 9.1.2
On a separate sheet of paper, Identify the verbs in the following sentences. Remember, a verb explains what the action is doing or links the subject to a description.
- The cat meows loudly outside. ___________
- Four people moved the broken-down car. __________
- Micaela and Rafael were expecting a package in the mail. _________ _________
- My aunt needs to move her bicycle off the front porch. __________
- Jeremiah and Kiki wrestle and cuddle the new puppy. __________ _________
- There are at least twenty people in line at the bank. _________
- The clothes still felt damp. ________
- We have seen that movie twice already. __________ __________
- The ornery Golden Retriever stole the juicy steak off the barbeque. __________
- Where are we going? ________
Attributions
This chapter, originally titled 2.1: Sentence Writing, is shared under a CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Anonymous via source content that was edited to the style and standards of the LibreTexts platform.
Media Attributions
- Independent Clauses
- Photo of Baby Asleep © bongbabyhousevn
- Photo of Subject Young Woman Reading © Pezibear
- Photo of Subject Marching Band © joaquinmaizon
- Prepositions
- Photo of Verb Riding a Dirtbike © RojobronoStudio
- Photo of Verb Women Playing in Snow © ottawagraphics
- Photo of Verb Horses Running in a River © XtianDuGard
