Exercises in Identifying Subjects and Verbs

Exercises in Identifying Subjects and Verbs There are two basic parts of a sentence: the  subject  and the  predicate. The subject is usually a noun: a person, place or thing. The predicate is usually a phrase that includes a  verb: a word that identifies an action or state of being. For example, both run and is are  verbs.   One easy way to distinguish subjects from verbs is to put the word he or she before the word. If the phrase makes sense, the word is a verb. If it doesnt, its probably a noun. For example, is the word bird a subject (noun) or a verb? How about the word dances? To find out, put the word he in front of each word. He bird makes no sense, so the word bird is a noun and could be the subject of a sentence.  He dances does make  sense, so the word dances is a verb, which could be part of the predicate. Try these exercises to help you distinguish between subjects and verbs. Two exercises are provided to give you (or your students) two opportunities to practice. Exercise A: Identifying Subjects and Verbs For each of the following sentences, decide whether the word in bold print is the subject or the verb. When you are done, compare your responses with the answers below. The dog shivered.An owl shrieked.The moon disappeared behind the clouds.We waited.Nobody said a word.  For a moment, nobody even breathed.A light rain fell on our heads.The leaves trembled.Our hearts beat faster.Then the black sky opened up.Furious flames lit up the night. Answers 1. verb; 2. subject; 3. verb; 4. subject; 5. verb; 6. subject; 7. verb; 8. verb; 9. verb; 10. subject; 11. subject Exercise B: Identifying Subjects and Verbs For each of the following sentences, decide whether the word in bold print is the subject or the verb. When you are done, compare your responses with the answers below. Mr. William Herring is the jolliest man I know.His outward features reflect the delightful character within.His hair is red and frizzy, like Orphan Annies.His head is fat and round.He has small, dark, hamster-like eyes.His eyes peer inquisitively from behind metal-rimmed glasses.His small mouth is always formed into a friendly grin.His thick neck connects this funny head to an egg-shaped torso.He has two fat arms with plump hands and fingers shaped like hot dogs.On one of these fingers is a diamond-studded gold ring.The gleam of the ring matches the brilliance of Mr. Bills smile.His Santa Claus belly, girded by a cowboy belt, hangs over the sort of baggy trousers that went out of style with leisure suits and platform shoes.Mr. Bills shoes, however, are invisible beneath his trousers.Still, his walk is distinctive.In fact, he seems to roll rather than walk.He rolls to the rhythm of his own laughter.His students roll right along with him. Answers 1. subject; 2. verb; 3. subject; 4. verb; 5. verb; 6. subject; 7. subject; 8. verb; 9. subject; 10. subject; 11. verb; 12. subject; 13. verb; 14. subject; 15. verb; 16. verb; 17. subject