Composition I Spring 2011

  Subjects are always nouns or pronouns.  Nouns are people, places, things, or ideas.  Pronouns take the place of nouns: he, she, it, you, we, they. *The object pronouns will never be subjects: him, her, me, us, them.  Verbs show action, represent a state of being, or link the subject to the predicate.  Ex: Knowledge is power. Knowledge=idea, is=linking Seize the day. Understood you=pronoun, seize=action Identifying Subjects and Verbs

 Remember that SV agreement rules apply only to the present tense.  If the subject is singular (1 in number), then the verb ends in an –s.  Example: The boy walks home. 1 add –s  If the subject is plural (2+ in number), then the verb does not end in an –s.  Example: The girls write long essays.  Example: The children practice soccer after school. 2+ no –s The Basics

  When the subject is “I” or “you,” then the verb does not end in an –s.  Example: I work on my grammar skills every day.  Example: You need to go to the Writing Center. Exceptions: “I” and “You”

  Remember the present tense forms of be, have, and do.  He, She, It, We, and They = any word that can be replaced by these pronouns, such as Tammy, John, cat, the children  Be  I amYou (sing. & pl)) are He, She, It isWe/They are  Have  I haveYou (sing. & pl) have He, She, It has We/They have  Do  I doYou (sing. & pl) do He, She, It doesWe/They do Be, Have, and Do

  Sometimes, subjects come after the verb. Remember the following rules and suggestions:  1. The subject is never within a prepositional phrase. Ex: The popularity of violent movies reflects the values of our society.  2. To find the subject of a question, turn the question into a statement. Ex: How much are these apples? These apples are how much. Delayed Subjects

  3. The words “there” and “here” are almost never the subject of a sentence. Ex: Here is the book I need. Ex: There are no bananas left.  4. It often helps to find the verb first and then ask “who” or “what” goes with that verb. Ex: In the pond swim five large ducks. Ask “who/what swims?” The ducks swim. Delayed Subjects continued

  The words who, which, and that are relative pronouns which are usually followed by verbs in sentences. To decide if these words are singular or plural, look for the word to which the pronoun refers.  Ex: The cars which cost the most are not always the most reliable. Ex: She is a mother who insists her children eat regular meals. Relative Pronouns

  Compound subjects have two or more nouns or pronouns. Remember the following rules:  1. Subjects joined by “and” are always plural. Ex: Students and teachers park in front of the auditorium.  2. When subjects are joined by “or” or “nor,” the verb agrees with the subject nearest to it. Ex: Fudge or cookies are a good choice for dessert.  Ex: Neither Tammy nor her sister likes to travel. Compound Subjects

  3. When two subjects are really naming one person or thing, the subject is singular and the verb should end in –s. Ex: Macaroni and cheese is my favorite food. 1 dish singular form of “be”  4. When “every” comes before the subject, the verb is singular and should end in –s. Ex: Every man, woman, and child remembers that cold winter. Compound Subjects continued

  Indefinite pronouns stand for persons, places, or things not specified.  Most indefinite pronouns are singular: each, either, neither, one, everyone, no one, nobody, etc.  Ex: Everyone in the class is going on the trip. No one at the office plans to leave early today. Someone living on our street is building a new deck. Indefinite Pronoun Subjects

  The following indefinite pronouns are plural: both, many, few, several, and others. Ex: Several of my friends work in the library. Many on the honor roll study long hours.  The following indefinite pronouns may be singular or plural: all, any, some, none, and most.  If one of these indefinite pronouns refers to a plural noun, use a verb without an –s. If the indefinite pronoun refers to a singular noun, use a verb with an –s.  Ex: All of the money is missing. “Money”=singular. Use “is.” All of the girls are leaving now. “Girls”=plural. Use “are.” Indefinite Pronoun Subjects continued