Lesson #5: More on the Subject of the Verb

The Subject (of the verb/clause)

• The subject should not be confused with the “topic.”

• The topic is what the sentence is about.

• The subject is a grammatical structure.

• Sometimes “topic” and “subject” are confused because in other contexts they are synonymous.

Example

I speak three foreign languages fluently.

• The topic is clearly the matter of speaking three languages.

• The subject, however, is “I.”

How to Find the Subject of the Verb

• In simple, declarative (not questions), the subject generally comes to the left of the verb phrase. However, do not assume that everything to the left of the verb phrase is the subject. Other things (we’ll get to those later in the course) can also come to the left of the verb phrase. But it’s always best to look to the left for the subject.

Examples

Examples:

The books /are/ about the Romanov women.

The Gaza crisis this last month /has brought/ attention to the Palestinians.

Obama /has/ a lot of work ahead of him.

Tests For the Subject

• You can generally find the subject by asking a yes/no question. The subject is what comes after the moved operator and before the rest of the verb phrase (if there is any rest of the verb phrase).

Examples

• Are the books about the Romanov women?

• Has the Gaza crisis this last month brought attention to the Palestinians?

• Does Obama have a lot of work ahead of him?

Another Important Test

• You can always substitute the subject for a subject pronoun.

Subject Pronouns (Review)

Person Singular Plural

1st I we

2nd You You (all)

3rd He/she/it They

Examples

• The books are about the Romanov women.• They are about the Romanov women.• The Gaza crisis this last month has brought

attention to the Palestinians.• It has brought attention to the Palestinians.• Obama has a lot of work ahead of him.• He has a lot of work ahead of him.

A final important point

• When the first verb in the verb phrase is present tense (or past tense of the verb “BE”), the subject and that verb agree in number and person (assuming that verb is not a modal).

Examples

• The books are >>> they are >>> the subject is plural (more than one book, and third person). The verb must also be third person and plural.

• The Gaza crisis this last month has >>> it has (one crisis this last month (singular); third person).

• Obama has >>> He has >>> (one person (singular); third person).

Important to Remember

• The first verb on the left in the verb phrase shows the tense of the verb phrase as well as any agreement in person and number with the subject.

Exercise

• Directions: Find the subject of each of the following verb phrases. Decide the person/number of the verb phrase, where appropriate.

• Israeli forces and Palestinian members of Hamas agreed to a ceasefire for a few days.

• My friends from church and I are hoping for a peaceful resolution.

• A priest at Holy Family Church in Gaza has chronicled numerous deaths among Christian Palestinians.

• One of my best students comes from a Palestinian family.

• His parents are refugees to this country.• Bombs full of white phosphorus have been

used extensively by Israeli forces.• White phosphorus can scald a person’s skin

mercilessly.

Editing ExerciseDirections: Mark with s-v (subject/verb agreement); t (tense); vb (verb form).

1. These pictures tells us the importance of environmental protection.2. It have a special meaning for me.3. Last night, Chris Jordan tell us about his feelings and he also show us

some fantastic art. 4. He putted many naked "Barbies" together as a representation of a

woman's breast.5. I likes the word "peace".6. I learn the most important thing in a class last semester.7. One of these flowers bloom at night.8. When he propose, Carla say no.9. The cats have drank all their water.10. Last week, I cash the refund check and buy a computer.11. They all have went to the party.12. People in Pullman is friendly.13. Since the beginning of our existence oceans has been a fountain of

life.14. All those oceanic advantages has caused this neglect.15. He sended the samples of flu to Dr. Jeffery Taubenberger.

An ESL Exercise

Directions: Look at these samples of student writing. There are problems with s-v agreement, verb phrase structure AND question formation. Analyze these sentences to determine what the problems are.

1. Does he needs a car inspection?2. Do your credit card have an expiration date?3. Does you and your cousin wants lunch this Saturday?4. Does you watch TV?5. Does he wakes up early?6. Does your parents live with you?