4.2 Subjects and verbs
Most sentences also need to contain a subject and a verb.
The subject
The subject tells you who or what the sentence is about. The rest of the sentence will give more detail about the subject.
For example, in
The driver took the wrong turn.
the driver is the subject.
Activity _unit4.4.3 Activity 26 Spot the subject
Read the sentences below and see if you can pick out the subject. Write them in the box below.
The car needs more petrol.
I will ring the bank tomorrow.
Jane has bought a new digital camera.
Birmingham is a major city.
The stadium is quite new.
Discussion
The subject of each sentence is in bold:
The car needs more petrol.
I will ring the bank tomorrow.
Jane has bought a new digital camera.
Birmingham is a major city.
The stadium is quite new.
Verbs
Verbs describe what is happening in a sentence. You may remember a verb being called a ‘doing’ word.
For example, in this sentence:
I read this web page last week.
’read’ is the verb – it is the action that happened.
Activity _unit4.4.4 Activity 27 Spot the verb
Look at the following sentences and this time identify the verb. Write them in the box below.
I always buy petrol from here.
She sent him a message.
They drive to London every weekend.
The team played at home.
Gardeners work outside.
Discussion
The verb in each sentence is in bold:
I always buy petrol from here.
She sent him a message.
They drive to London every weekend.
The team played at home.
Gardeners work outside.