Subjects (with Verbs) and Objects

Subject: Who/what is doing something OR being something in the sentence

Verb: What the subject is doing or being

The Coke can glistened in the sunlight.

Subject:

1. Simple: Usually a single noun (can) or pronoun (it; that)

2. Complete: Simple subject with all of its modifiers (the can on the table)

3. Compound subject: Two + subjects, usually joined by and or or

Ex: Both Coke and Pepsi are refreshing.

4. Implied subject: The subject is implied.

Ex: (You) Get me a soda; (you) Open it for me.

Trouble Spots:

1. Prepositional phrases: A preposition and one or more nouns or pronouns with their modifiers (in the cooler; under the wine)

*The noun or pronoun in a prepositional phrase is not the subject.

Ex: The Pepsi in the car is warm.

2. Here and There: These words are adverbs and cannot be subjects.

Ex: There is my soda.

3. This, That, These, Those: If they stand alone, they are subjects. If they describe other nouns, they are adjectives.

Ex: That is mine. (That is the subject; it stands alone.)

Ex: That soda is mine. (That is not the subject; it describes the soda.)

Object: Always a noun; not the subject of the sentence

· Direct object: Noun that receives the action of the verb

Marsha slapped Jan.

Mike seduced Alice.

· Indirect object: Noun that names a person or thing to whom or which something is done

Bobby gave a bloody nose to Cindy.

Greg stole cigarettes from a convenience store.