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7. Other Problems in Finding Subjects The subject of a sentence…
7. Other Problems in Finding Subjects
The subject of a sentence tells who or what performs the action in a sentence. Certain sentence types cause the subject to shift from its most common position, which is at or near the start of a sentence. In some sentences, the subject disappears entirely and is only implied. The following table outlines three types of sentences that cause the subject to shift from its most common position.
Sentence Type Description Examples
Question Sentences
Sentences that begin with the question signal words why, where, how, and when shift the subject so that it occurs later in the sentence.
Where are the orchids?
When will the flower shop open?
Sentences Starting with “Here” or “There”
In sentences beginning with here or there, the subject occurs later in the sentence.
Here are the orchids.
There is a vase.
Commands
A command is a sentence with a verb that gives an order. In commands, you is the implied subject.
[You] Smell these flowers.
[You] Give the flowers plenty of sunlight.
Directions: Read the following sentences. Then click on the blank lines, and select the subject of the sentence.
Select “implied you” if the subject is an implied “you.”
1. Get your mother a bouquet for her birthday.
The subject is——–(mother, bouquet, implied you).
2. Florists put a lot of thought into their arrangements.
The subject is———(Florists, their arrangements, implied you).
3. There aren’t any daisies in this bouquet.
The subject is———–(implied you, bouquet, daisies).
4. Here is the most beautiful garden in town.
The subject is——–(garden, town, implied you).
8. Action Verbs
A complete sentence must have a verb. The verb shows what the subject (the who or what word) does. An action verb tells what action the subject is performing.
Action Verbs
Two action verbs: swim and play
Example: Children swim and play in the waves.
In the previous example, the subject (the who word) is children. What action do the children perform? The children swim and play. Some sentences, such as the example, have two or more action verbs.
Directions: Select the action verb or verbs in each of the related sentences that follow.
1. Female tennis stars have more earning power than ever before.
The action verb or verbs of sentence 1 is:
Tennis
Have
Power
Stars
2. For example, Maria Sharapova renewed and extended her $70 million contract with Nike.
The action verb or verbs of sentence 2 is:
$70 million contract
Renewed and extended
With Nike
For example
3. Sharapova’s income now amounts to around $24.5 million per year.
The action verb or verbs of sentence 3 is:
Sharapova’s
Per year
Amounts
Income
4. Astoundingly, only $1 million of Sharapova’s earnings came from tennis tournament victories.
The action verb or verbs of sentence 4 is:
Victories
Came
Income
Astoundingly
5. In short, Sharapova demonstrates and proves the earning potential of female athletes.
The action verb or verbs of sentence 5 is:
Earning potential
Demonstrates and proves
In short
Female athletes
9. Linking Verbs
In addition to action verbs, there is a second kind of verb. A linking verb simply links the subject with words that describe or rename it. The most common linking verbs are the forms of “to be.” Verbs of the senses (feel, look, and smell) also may be used to link subjects with descriptive words.
Linking Verbs
Linking verb: feels
Example: Joe feels ill today.
Remember, a linking verb links the subject with the words that describe or rename that subject. The subject in this example sentence is Joe. Feels links the subject, Joe, with the descriptive word ill. Ill describes the way Joe feels.
Review the common linking verbs that follow to help you complete the exercise.
Common Linking Verbs
act feel smell
appear get sound
become seem taste
be (am, is, are, was, were)
Directions: For each sentence on the left in the following box, identify the linking verb, the subject, and the descriptive words that describe or rename the subject. The first sentence has been done for you as a model.
Sentence Linking Verb Subject Words That Describe or Rename the Subject
These apples taste unripe. taste apples unripe
My mom always was stubborn.
The option for the upper column is (mom, was, stubborn). You have to put these three options in the correct column.
His dog usually gets tired after a long walk.
The option for the upper column is (tried, gets, gods). You have to put these three options in the correct column.
Danielle looks beautiful in her prom dress.
The option for the upper column is (beautiful, Danielle, looks). You have to put these three options in the correct column.
Ben and Harvey often appeared happy.
The option for the upper column is (appeared, Ben and Harvey, happy). You have to put these three options in the correct column.
During the winter, Vanessa frequently feels depressed.
The option for the upper column is (Vanessa, depressed, feels). You have to put these three options in the correct column.
That skunk smells terrible!
The option for the upper column is (skunk, smells, terrible). You have to put these three options in the correct column.
10. Helping Verbs
A helping verb (or auxiliary verb) is a verb that comes before the main verb in a sentence. Together with the main verb, the helping verb forms a verb phrase. Such a verb phrase helps express a special meaning or a particular time.
Common Helping Verbs
can could may might
must shall should will would
Forms of have (has, have, had)
Forms of do (does, do, did)
Forms of be (being, been, am, is, are, was, were)
It’s important to note that be, do, and have are sometimes helping verbs and sometimes main verbs. When be is a main verb, it functions as a linking verb. When do and have are main verbs, they function as action verbs. The following table shows some examples. The main verbs are in bold, and the helping verbs are in italics.
“Be,” “Do,” and “Have” Used as Helping Verbs “Be,” “Do,” and “Have” Used as Main Verbs
She is composing music. She is a composer.
Jonas and Kyle were hosting a party. Jonas and Kyle were the party hosts.
Miriam does love crossword puzzles. Miriam does the crossword puzzle.
Lou Jing did wash the dishes. Lou Jing did the dishes.
Directions: Read each sentence. Then identify the helping verb in each. If there is no helping verb, select [none].
1. You may go to the party after you clean your room.
In the sentence, the helping verb is——-(party, may, noun, go).
2. I will travel to Africa after I graduate from university.
In the sentence, the helping verb is——–(travel, graduate, will, noun).
3. Victor does go to the library for research materials.
In the sentence, the helping verb is———-(research, go, does, noun).
4. Stasia does research in the library downtown.
In the sentence, the helping verb is——–(research, noun, library, does).
