Mastering Subjects and Verbs: A Grammar Guide

1. Subjects… Identifying the parts of speech

2. Subjects… • A subject is the person, place, thing, or topic of a sentence about which a writer expresses a thought.

3. Another way to think about subjects… • A SUBJECT does the action in the sentence or is identified by what action is taking place. • A VERB is the action in the sentence. • An OBJECT receives the action.For example: Sam finished his homework.

4. Subjects… • Sam = subject • “Sam” is the subject of the sentence. He is doing the action • Finished = verb • “finished” is the verb of the sentence. The verb is the action taking place. • His homework = object • “his homework is the object of the sentence. The object receives the action or the object is acted upon.

5. Subjects… • There are three common types of subjects based on the writer’s thought or point. • Simple subjects • Action/Being Subjects • Compound Subjects

6. Subjects… • How do I identify the subject of a sentence?

7. Subjects… • To identify the subject of a sentence, ask yourself the following questions. • Who or what did the action? • Who or what is being described? • What is the topic being discussed here? • Where are the prepositional phrases? What are secondary details of the sentence? • What is the verb of the sentence?

8. Simple Subjects… • Simple Subject: • A single person, place, object, or topic is the focus of though. • Example 1 – Wilma Mankiller served as the first female chief of the Cherokee Nation from 1985-1995. • (Identify the subject of the sentence.)

9. Simple Subjects… • Simple Subject: • A group of words express the focus of thought. • Example 2 – What the government knows about the assassination of President Kennedy is still a matter of debate. • (identify the subject of the sentence.)

10. Simple Subjects… • Simple Subject: • A suggestion, command, or order is the focus of thought. • Example 3 – Make a difference by voting. • (identify the subject of the sentence.) • When there is a ‘suggestion’ or ‘command’ the “you” is understood, but not stated. Since the subject of the sentence ‘you’ is not stated, the sentence becomes a command.

11. Action/Being Subjects… • Action/Being subject: • An action word ending with –ing is the point of a focused thought. • Example 1 – Laughing reduces stress. • (Identify the ‘action/subject’ in the sentence.)

12. Action/Being subject… • Action/Being subject: • A state of being word ending with –ing is the point of a focused thought. • Example – For many Mexican immigrants, living in the United States during the 21st century increases economic opportunities. • (identify the action/subject of the sentence.)

13. Compound Subjects… • Compound Subject: • Two or more people, places, objects, or topics are the subjects of a focused thought. • Example - Florida, Texas, and California lead the national growth of online banking. • (Identify the subject of the sentence.)

14. Subjects, verbs, and the simple sentence… • That was really interesting…

15. Subjects… • In summary, there are three common types of subjects that illustrate a writer’s thought or point. • Simple subjects • Action/Being Subjects • Compound Subjects

16. Write sentences… • Write three sentences using each of the common types of subjects based on a thought or a point you want to make • Simple subjectsFor example: Nurses use their training. • Action/Being SubjectsFor example: Laughing reduces stress. • Compound SubjectsFor example: Jogging and swimming are good for your health. • Send me your sentences to my email (sowings@highline.edu). I will review the sentences and return them with my corrections , along with two extra credit points.

17. Subjects, verbs, and the simple sentence… • What should I do if I want more practice writing simple sentences and identifying and the subjects in a sentence?

18. Subjects, verbs, and the simple sentence… • Click on the link and visit “ My Writing Lab.” Ask me for more details.