Words Come between the Subject and the Verb

When the subject and the verb are not right next to each other, it can be difficult to make sure that they agree. Most often, what comes between the subject and the verb is either a prepositional phrase or a dependent clause.

PREPOSITIONAL PHRASE BETWEEN THE SUBJECT AND THE VERB

For a list of common prepositions, see “Subjects” in Chapter 15.

A prepositional phrase starts with a preposition and ends with a noun or pronoun: The line for the movie went around the corner.

Remember, the subject of a sentence is never in a prepositional phrase. When you are looking for the subject, you can cross out any prepositional phrases. This strategy should help you find the real subject and decide whether it agrees with the verb.

image

DEPENDENT CLAUSE BETWEEN THE SUBJECT AND THE VERB

A dependent clause has a subject and a verb, but it does not express a complete thought. When a dependent clause comes between the subject and the verb, it usually starts with the word who, whose, whom, that, or which.

The subject of a sentence is never in the dependent clause. When you are looking for the subject, you can cross out any dependent clauses.

image