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SUBJECTS AND VERBS [Xem 1161 lần]
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SUBJECTS AND VERBS 
September 28, 2003, 10:49 AM
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Being able to find the right subject and verb will help you with correcting errors concerning agreement.
[b]Example [/b] [i] The list of items is/are on the desk.[/i]
If you know that list is the subject, then you will choose is for the verb.
Being able to identify the subject and verb correctly will also help you with commas and semicolons as you will see later.
[color=Maroon]Definition. A Verb [/color] is a word that shows action (runs, hits, slides) or state of being (is, are, was, were, am, etc.).
[b]Examples [/b] [i] He ran around the block.
You are my friend.[/i]
[color=Maroon]Rule 1.[/color] If a word follows to, you need to look in front of to for the main verb.
[b] Example [/b] [i]I like to walk.[/i]
[color=Maroon]Definition. A Subject [/color] is the noun or pronoun that does the verb.
[b] Example [/b] [i] The woman hurried. Woman is the subject.[/i]
[color=Black]Rule 2.[/color] A subject will come before a phrase beginning with of.
[b] Example[/b] [i] A bouquet of yellow roses will lend color and fragrance to the room.[/i]
[color=Maroon]Rule 3.[/color] To find the subject and verb, always find the verb first. Then ask who or what did the verb.
[b] Examples [/b][i]The jet engine passed inspection. [/i]
Passed is the verb. Who or what passed? The engine, so engine is the subject. (If you included the word jet as the subject, lightning will not strike you. Technically, jet is an adjective here and is part of what is known as the complete subject.)
From the ceiling hung the chandelier.
The verb is hung. Now, if you think ceiling is the subject, slow down. Ask who or what hung. The answer is chandelier, not ceiling. Therefore, chandelier is the subject.
[color=Purple]Rule 4.[/color] Any request or command such as "Stop!" or "Walk quickly." has the understood subject you because if we ask who is to stop or walk quickly, the answer must be you.
[b]Example [/b][i](You) Please bring me some coffee. [/i]Bring is the verb. Who is to do the bringing? You understood.
[color=Maroon]Rule 5.[/color] Sentences often have more than one subject, more than one verb, or pairs of subjects and verbs.
[b]Examples [/b] [i]I like cake and he likes ice cream.[/i] (Two pairs of subjects and verbs)
[i]He and I like cake. [/i](Two subjects and one verb)
[i]He lives and breathes his work. [/i](One subject and two verbs)
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