Finding True Subject Quiz

1. What is a prepositional phrase in a sentence like The boys in the class are excited?

A group of words that includes the verb.

A group of words beginning with a preposition that adds extra information.

A group of words that always contains the subject.

A group of words at the end of a sentence only.

A prepositional phrase begins with a preposition (like in, on, of) and adds extra information but is not the main subject or verb.

Explanation

A prepositional phrase begins with a preposition (like in, on, of) and adds extra information but is not the main subject or verb.

2. In the sentence The boys in the class are excited, what is the true subject?

Class

Boys

Boys in the class

Are

Boys is the noun that the verb are describes, so boys is the true subject.

Explanation

Boys is the noun that the verb are describes, so boys is the true subject.

3. In the sentence The color of the flowers is bright, what is the true subject?

Flowers

Color

Of the flowers

Bright

Color is the main noun linked to the verb is, so it is the true subject.

Explanation

Color is the main noun linked to the verb is, so it is the true subject.

4. In the sentence The pages in the book are torn, what is the true subject?

Book

Pages

In the book

Pages in the book

Pages is the noun doing the action are torn, so pages is the subject.

Explanation

Pages is the noun doing the action are torn, so pages is the subject.

5. You should ignore prepositional phrases when deciding what the true subject is.

True

False

Prepositional phrases give extra information, so you skip them and look for the main noun that the verb matches.

Explanation

Prepositional phrases give extra information, so you skip them and look for the main noun that the verb matches.

6. In The boys in the class are excited, class is the true subject.

True

False

Boys is the noun that matches the verb are, so class is only part of the prepositional phrase in the class.

Explanation

Boys is the noun that matches the verb are, so class is only part of the prepositional phrase in the class.

7. Write the true subject: The herd of cows is running.

Herd is the main noun linked to the verb is, so herd is the true subject.

Explanation

Herd is the main noun linked to the verb is, so herd is the true subject.

Submit

8. Write the true subject: The pile of leaves was huge.

Pile is the noun that the verb was describes, so pile is the true subject.

Explanation

Pile is the noun that the verb was describes, so pile is the true subject.

Submit

9. In the sentence The group of dancers on the stage is ready, what is the true subject?

Dancers

Stage

Group

Dancers on the stage

Group is the noun tied to the verb is, while of dancers on the stage is a prepositional phrase.

Explanation

Group is the noun tied to the verb is, while of dancers on the stage is a prepositional phrase.

10. Which word is NOT likely to be the true subject in a sentence with a prepositional phrase?

Color

Group

Of

Students

Of is a preposition, not a noun, so it cannot be the true subject.

Explanation

Of is a preposition, not a noun, so it cannot be the true subject.

11. Which sentences use a verb that correctly matches the true subject (ignoring the prepositional phrase)?

The basket of apples is heavy.

The basket of apples are heavy.

The students in the class are listening.

The students in the class is listening.

The box of toys is under the bed.

A, C, and E match the verb to basket, students, and box, which are the true subjects.

Explanation

A, C, and E match the verb to basket, students, and box, which are the true subjects.

Submit

12. Which sentences have the verb matched incorrectly to a word in the prepositional phrase instead of the true subject?

The pile of rocks are large.

The pile of rocks is large.

The cars in the garage is dirty.

The cars in the garage are dirty.

The bouquet of flowers is pretty.

A and C use are or is with the wrong number for the true subjects pile and cars.

Explanation

A and C use are or is with the wrong number for the true subjects pile and cars.

Submit

13. Write the true subject: The keys on the hook are missing.

Keys is the noun that the verb are refers to, so keys is the true subject.

Explanation

Keys is the noun that the verb are refers to, so keys is the true subject.

Submit

14. Write the true subject: A basket of oranges was on the counter.

Basket is the main noun connected to the verb was, so basket is the true subject.

Explanation

Basket is the main noun connected to the verb was, so basket is the true subject.

Submit

15. In the sentence The sound of the drums from the stadium was loud, what is the true subject?

Drums

Stadium

Sound

Drums from the stadium

Sound is the noun that the verb was describes, so sound is the subject; the other words form prepositional phrases.

Explanation

Sound is the noun that the verb was describes, so sound is the subject; the other words form prepositional phrases.

16. In the sentence The pictures on the wall of the hallway are new, what is the true subject?

Wall

Hallway

Pictures

Pictures on the wall

Pictures is the noun matched with the verb are, so pictures is the true subject.

Explanation

Pictures is the noun matched with the verb are, so pictures is the true subject.

17. In The boxes under the bed are full, bed is the true subject.

True

False

Boxes is the plural noun that the verb are agrees with; under the bed is a prepositional phrase.

Explanation

Boxes is the plural noun that the verb are agrees with; under the bed is a prepositional phrase.

18. In A box of crayons is on the floor, box is the true subject.

True

False

Box is the main noun linked to the verb is, so it is the true subject; of crayons is a prepositional phrase.

Explanation

Box is the main noun linked to the verb is, so it is the true subject; of crayons is a prepositional phrase.

19. Write the true subject: The stars in the sky are bright.

Stars is the plural noun that the verb are describes, so stars is the true subject.

Explanation

Stars is the plural noun that the verb are describes, so stars is the true subject.

Submit

20. What is the best first step to find the true subject in a sentence with a prepositional phrase?

Underline every preposition and use it as the subject.

Cross out the prepositional phrase, then find the noun that fits with the verb.

Change the verb to past tense first.

Move the prepositional phrase to the beginning of the sentence.

If you remove the prepositional phrase, it is easier to see which noun is the true subject that matches the verb.

Explanation

If you remove the prepositional phrase, it is easier to see which noun is the true subject that matches the verb.

Spot the Core: Finding the True Subject Quiz

1. What is a prepositional phrase in a sentence like The boys in the class are excited?

2. In the sentence The boys in the class are excited, what is the true subject?

3. In the sentence The color of the flowers is bright, what is the true subject?

4. In the sentence The pages in the book are torn, what is the true subject?

5. You should ignore prepositional phrases when deciding what the true subject is.

6. In The boys in the class are excited, class is the true subject.

7. Write the true subject: The herd of cows is running.

8. Write the true subject: The pile of leaves was huge.

9. In the sentence The group of dancers on the stage is ready, what is the true subject?

10. Which word is NOT likely to be the true subject in a sentence with a prepositional phrase?

11. Which sentences use a verb that correctly matches the true subject (ignoring the prepositional phrase)?

12. Which sentences have the verb matched incorrectly to a word in the prepositional phrase instead of the true subject?

13. Write the true subject: The keys on the hook are missing.

14. Write the true subject: A basket of oranges was on the counter.

15. In the sentence The sound of the drums from the stadium was loud, what is the true subject?

16. In the sentence The pictures on the wall of the hallway are new, what is the true subject?

17. In The boxes under the bed are full, bed is the true subject.

18. In A box of crayons is on the floor, box is the true subject.

19. Write the true subject: The stars in the sky are bright.

20. What is the best first step to find the true subject in a sentence with a prepositional phrase?