Directions: Commit the following eight principles to memory and keep these principles in mind as you complete the exercise below.
1.Although in English the subject usually comes before the verb in a declarative sentence, sometimes it is found after the verb. Example: "There in the kennel is a happy puppy just waiting for his new owner."
2.Gerunds (present participle –ing words that function as nouns) can be the subjects of sentences. Example: "Dancing seemed to be her passion."
3.Indefinite pronouns (P. 509) are frequently the subject of sentences but are often missed. Example: "None of the students passed the test." The noun "students" is not the subject. It is the object in the prepositional phrase "of the students," and the subject of a sentence is never found within a prepositional phrase.
4.Infinitives (verb roots such as to eat, to dance, to swim, to play, to work, etc.) sometimes function as the subject of sentences, but they are never the verbs in sentences. Example: "To sing at the county fair was her loftiest goal."
5.In a question, the subject often splits up the verb. Example: "Has the instructor given you the necessary guidance?" Notice that the helping verb "has" is separated from the past participle "given" by the subject. In a declarative sentence, it would not be separated: "The instructor has given you the necessary guidance."
6.Adverbs frequently split up verbs but should not be identified as part of the verb. Example: "Bill has almost always finished his work on time." The two adverbs (almost always) are not part of the two-word verb (has finished).
7.In a command sentence, the subject (you) is not stated; it is implied. Example: "Eat your peas and clear the dishes!" Notice that there is no single-underlined subject because "you" is the implied subject.
8.Compound verbs are often found far from each other within a sentence. Example: "Tanya has worked on her paper all night but hasn’t completed it." Notice that there are six words between the two verbs.
Directions: In the following sentences, find the subject or subjects and find the verb or verbs.
1.The United States is increasingly conflicted about its immigration policies. (Hint: This sentence contains an –ed word that does not function as a verb. Instead, it functions as an adjective.)
2.There are three good reasons not to take this trip. (Hint: In this sentence, the subject actually comes after the verb. See principle #1 above.)
3.Protecting the watershed of the river will help to protect the river itself. (Hint: Refer to principle #2 above.)
4.One of team’s most outstanding players was awarded a scholarship to Michigan State. (Hint: Refer to principle #3 above.)
5.To pilot commercial jets has always been Teresa’s dream. (Hint: Refer to principle #4 above.)
6.Montana and Wyoming were fighting more than the typical fires of a dry summer and were hoping for a quick end to their troubles. (Hints: Coordinating conjunctions should not be underlined as part of the subject when the subject is made up of two or more items. This sentence contains two two-word verbs. Also, refer to principle #8 above.)
7.Have you been to see The Golden Compass yet? (Hints: Refer to principle #5 above. Also, remember that an infinitive is never the verb of a sentence.)
8.Warren might have quickly started the car but, in his nervousness, dropped the keys. (Hint: Refer to principles #6 and #8 above.)
9.Please open the blinds and raise the window. (Hint: Refer to principle #7 above.)
10.Residents of Central America and South America sometimes wonder about and resent the habit of many U.S. citizens of referring to themselves as Americans. (Hints: Remember that the subject of a sentence is never found in a prepositional phrase. Also, refer to principle #8 above.)
