Understanding Subjects, Action Verbs, and Linking Verbs

1. What is a Subject?

The subject is the part of a sentence that tells us who or what the sentence is about. It is usually a noun (person,
place, thing, or idea) or a pronoun.

Examples:

 The cat slept on the couch. (The subject is "The cat.")

 She loves reading. (The subject is "She.")

2. What is an Action Verb?

An action verb shows what the subject is doing. It expresses physical or mental action.

Examples:

 He runs every morning.

 They thought about the problem.

How to Identify an Action Verb:

Ask yourself, "What is the subject doing?" If the word describes an

action, it’s an action verb.

3. What is a Linking Verb?

A linking verb connects the subject to more information about it. It does not show action but instead links the
subject to a noun, pronoun, or adjective that
describes or identifies it. Common Linking Verbs
Examples: Forms of "to be" (is, am, are, was, were, etc.)
 She is a teacher. ("Is" links "She" to "a
teacher.") Sensory verbs (feels, seems, appears, smells, tastes,
 The soup tastes delicious. ("Tastes" links sounds, etc.)
"The soup" to "delicious.")

How to Identify a Linking Verb:

Replace the verb with "is" or "are." If the sentence still makes sense, the verb is likely a linking verb.

Example: The sky looks blue. (Replace with "is": "The sky is blue.")
Identifying the Subject and Verb. Underline the verb in each of the following sentences. Draw a circle around
each subject.

1. Miss Williams is going to New York tomorrow.

2. Jo Anne's question surprised me.
3. I have forgiven her.
4. The Martins have played eighteen holes of golf today.
5. The students finished their work quickly.
6. After his long flight, Tom was very tired.
7. The old man and his wife carefully made their way down the busy street.
8. The witness answered the questions simply and directly.
9. The members of our class have just elected officers.
10. Mr. Gonzales often walks his dog in the evening.
Run-On Sentences: What Are They?

A run-on sentence happens when two or more independent clauses (complete sentences) are joined incorrectly.
Run-ons confuse readers because the ideas are smashed together without proper punctuation or connectors.

Example of a Run-On Sentence:

 The sun set behind the mountains it was a beautiful evening.

Independent clause
Independent clause
The sun set behind the It was a beautiful evening
mountains
How to Fix It:

1. Add a period to separate the clauses:

o The sun set behind the mountains. It was a beautiful evening.
2. Use a comma and a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS):
o The sun set behind the mountains, and it was a beautiful evening.

3. Use a semicolon:
o The sun set behind the mountains; it was a beautiful evening.

Comma Splices: What Are They?

A comma splice happens when two or more independent clauses

(complete sentences) are joined with a comma and no coordinating
conjunction (FANBOYS).

Example of a Run-On Sentence:

 The sun set behind the mountains, it was a beautiful

evening.

How to Fix It: Same methods as a run-on sentence above.

Identify if the sentences below are comma splices or run-on sentences. For comma splices, write CS; for
run-on sentences, write RO. Then, fix the sentence using one of the techniques we discussed.
1. _____ Ellen had her hands full taking care of Stephen, he was at the age where he was full of mischief.

2. _____The sky turned gray bolts of lightning flashed in the east thunder rolled across the mountains.

3. _____Americans are more conscious of the need for fitness, they have become active sports enthusiasts,
they are more interested in good nutrition, they are aware of the need to reduce stress.

4. _____Television can be entertaining, it can also be boring.

5. _____Children learn from their parents' examples parents' behavior is an important part of their
children's experience.

6. _____The life of a farmer is a lonely one his opportunities to socialize are limited because of the
constant attention he must give to the things he cultivates.

7. _____Oil imports are very expensive, we must learn to be economical in our use of energy.

8. _____Advanced methods of communication have made the world smaller, people are thus brought
closer together, we find ourselves with common interests.

9. _____Some scientists call the computer essentially "stupid" others fear its capacity to "think."

10. _____College freshmen need help in making the transition from high school, the sheer size of most
colleges can be a problem to new students.
COMMA RULES
1. Between items in a series
2. After an introductory phrase
3. When addressing someone directly
4. Around interrupting words and phrases
5. Between independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS – For, And, Nor, But,
Or, Yet, So).

1. Between items in a series of more than two items

 Commas, semicolons, and colons are confusing.
 Come meet Janet, a clown, and an acrobat.
 Jane, Jill, and Jeff go to the store.
 I’ll take a Coke, fries, and a burger.

2. After an introductory phrase

 Yes, I studied the comma rules.
 However, I have not memorized them.
 In the morning, we jogged around campus.
 In 2015, I will graduate from college.
 First, I will get a job.
 Additionally, I will buy a car.
 After a long summer in Arizona, I enjoy winter more.

3. When addressing someone directly or indicating dialogue

 Vania, please pass the salt.
 Thank you for the note, McKenzie.
 You were late again, Jackson, so you will be marked as absent.
 Jackson said, “But it wasn’t my fault!”

4. Around interrupting words and phrases

 My cat, for example, is annoying and mean.
 Cecilia, a student in the class, raised her hand.
 Facebook, a popular social media site, is used by old and young people.
 Each of these sentences, as you know, would be a complete thought without the interrupter.
5. Between independent clauses (complete sentences) joined by a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS).
 I would like to go out tonight, but I must study these comma rules. (Two independent clauses
connected by “but”)
 I would like to go out but must study these comma rules. (One independent clause and one
dependent clause)
 The water is clear, and we are going swimming.
Punctuate the following sentences with commas.

1. Having been told of the test John wondered when he would study.
2. When she noticed the time Marie realized she would be late.
3. He ran up the stairs through the door and down the hall.
4. He ends each day telling himself that the day was miserable that he should have stayed in bed that
tomorrow will be better.
5. Jean does not each much lately and she is losing weight.
6. He would not let them fight nor would he allow them to give up.
7. Jim are you sure that the building is safe.
8. I worried John that you had forgotten to feed the dog.
9. It is however very difficult to hit a silverfish from then feet away
10. Mr. Barnes my dance instructor was a professional entertainer.
11. A Mazda the car with the rotary engine is expensive.
12. I was very embarrassed when my husband who was only slightly drunk crashed down the stairs.
Fragments: What Are They?

A fragment is an incomplete sentence. It’s usually missing a subject, a verb, or a complete thought.

Example of a Fragment:

 Because the sun set behind the mountains.

o What happened because the sun set? This thought is incomplete.

How to Fix It:

 Add the missing information to complete the thought:

o Because the sun set behind the mountains, the sky turned orange.
Circle the letter of the sentence you think is correct:

1. A. After I had studied for two hours without stopping.

B. Studying hard for two hours without stopping.
C. I studied hard for two hours without stopping.

2. A. Always something of interest going on at their house.

B. There was always something of interest going on at their house.
C. Interesting things always going on at their house.

3. A. Taking her out once but forgetting her last name.

B. Even though he had taken her out once.
C. Even though he had taken her out once, he had forgotten her last name.

4. A. Making out a schedule is a good idea.

B. Although making out a schedule is a good idea.
C. A good idea to make out a schedule.

5. A. Paying off that bill, which I should have done long ago.
B. Not having paid off that bill long ago.
C. Paying off that bill should have been done long ago.

6. A. It is an idea that goes back to ancient Greece.

B. An idea that goes back to ancient Greece.
C. An idea going back to ancient Greece.

7. A. Which we all agreed to.

B. An idea we all agreed to.
C. It was an idea we all agreed to.

8. A. Just watching the exciting game on T.V.

B. Just watching the game on T.V. was exciting.
C. Just to watch the exciting game on T.V.

9. A. As if he knew what she was talking about.

B. Pretending he knew what she was talking about.
C. He pretended as if he knew what she was talking about.

10. A. My hobby being one not many people are interested in.
B. My hobby is not one many people are interested in.
C. A hobby that is not one many people are interested in.