The Sentence

Find the Subject and Verb

8 / 38

Mark the complete verb, ask “who or what + verb?”, extend to the complete subject, and check whether the thought stands alone.

The nurse smiles.

Complete verb: smiles · Who smiles? The nurse · Complete subject: The nurse · Stand-alone: yes—sentence

The folder beside the monitors is missing.

Complete verb: is · What is missing? The folder beside the monitors · Complete subject: the whole noun phrase · Stand-alone: yes—sentence; nearby “monitors” does not control “is”

The trainees are ready.

Complete verb: are · Who are ready? The trainees · Complete subject: The trainees · Stand-alone: yes—sentence

Are ready for class.

Complete verb: are · Who are ready? missing · Complete subject: missing · Stand-alone: no—fragment; Spanish “Están listos” requires an English subject: “They are ready for class.”

Open the folder.

Complete verb: open · Who opens? understood you · Complete subject: understood you · Stand-alone: yes—complete command

Because the folder is missing.

Complete verb: is · What is missing? the folder · Complete subject: the folder · Stand-alone: no—because makes the clause dependent

SOLO → COMMIT → EXPLAIN → CHECK · Encuentra el sujeto y el verbo