Page 588 - Wordsmith A Guide to College Writing
P. 588
Finding the Subject
The easiest way to find the subject of a sentence is to find the verb
first and work from there.
A subject answers the question “Who or what
_______________?” The verb fills in the blank. Be sure that the
words who or what are stated before the verb, or you may find the
object of the verb rather than its subject.
The tour group will fly to Toronto on the 6:00 P.M. flight.
Who or what will fly? The tour group will fly. Group is the simple
subject of the verb will fly. (The words the and tour are modifiers
and are part of the complete subject.)
Cedric and Joseph sat on the bench waiting for their mother.
Who or what sat? Cedric and Joseph sat. Cedric and Joseph is the
compound subject of the verb sat.
Carefully, Sandra measured the cinnamon and raisins and folded
them into the bread dough.
Who or what measured? Sandra measured. Sandra is the subject
of the verb measured. Who or what folded? Sandra folded. Sandra
is the subject of the verb folded.
