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Getting started on classical Latin
Getting started on classical Latin

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4.3.1 Subject and verb

A sentence consists of a number of words which, to make sense, must include a verb. Unless this is the only word in the sentence (as in ‘Run!’), there will normally be a word telling us who or what is doing the action. This person or thing carrying out the action of the verb – which is denoted by a noun or a pronoun – is called the subject of the verb.

Consider these sentences:

The players ran onto the pitch. The referee blew his whistle, and the centre-forward kicked off.

This short passage has three separate statements (in the two sentences), each determined by a different action expressed by a verb – ran, blew and kicked. There are also three separate ‘doers’ or subjects of the actions: the players, the referee and the centre-forward.

Activity 9

Identify the subjects and verbs in the following sentences. Type your answers in the boxes provided. The first one has been done for you.

  1. I like chocolate.
  2. The boys ran as fast as they could.
  3. Tomorrow my friend and I are going to Paris.
  4. She was sitting beside her friend on the bus and they were talking loudly.
  5. Chris and Robbie climbed the tree.
Subject Verb
1. I like
2.
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3.
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4.
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5.
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Words: 0
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Answer

SubjectVerb
1. Ilike
2. The boys / theyran / could
3. My friend and Iare going
4. She / theywas sitting / were talking
5. Chris and Robbieclimbed