Daily Grammar

Lesson 91

Parts of the Sentence - Subject/Verb

A simple sentence is a group of words expressing a complete thought, and it must have a subject and a verb (predicate - some grammar books use the word predicate, but I will use verb).  A verb shows action or state of being.  The subject tells who or what about the verb.  When finding the subject and the verb in a sentence, always find the verb first and then say who or what followed by the verb.

Example:
The bell rang.
Find the verb - rang
Who or what rang?
The bell rang, so bell is the subject.
The bell rang.

Example:
The boy is here.
Find the verb - is
Who or what is?
The boy is, so boy is the subject.
The boy is here.

 
 
 

There are four (4) kinds of sentences: declarative, imperative, interrogative, and exclamatory.

1. A declarative sentence makes a statement.

Example:
The assignment is due tomorrow.

2. An imperative sentence gives a command or makes a request.

Examples:
Hand it in now. (understood you)
Stop. (understood you)

3. An interrogative sentence asks a question.

Example:
Do you know the man?

4. An exclamatory sentence shows strong feeling. Declarative, imperative, or interrogative sentences can be made into exclamatory sentences by punctuating them with an exclamation point.

Examples:
The assignment is due tomorrow!
Stop!
Do you know the man!

 
 
 

Instructions: Find the subject and verb in the following sentences.

1. Karen went to the mall.

Karen went to the mall.

2. Carl didn't help his dad.

Carl didn't help his dad.
-- verb phrase using the helping verb did

3. Mom cooks breakfast every morning.

Mom cooks breakfast every morning.

4. I want a new bike for Christmas.

I want a new bike for Christmas.

5. Ann has had a new baby girl.

Ann has had a new baby girl.
-- verb phrase using the helping verb has

Note: These verbs are all action verbsAction verbs are verbs that show action. Action verbs are the most common verbs.
Source: Lesson 1
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