Recipe

Check that a sentence's subject and predicate fit

Use when: a sentence sounds off even though the spelling and punctuation are fine, especially one built on the reason is, is when, is where, a sentence that opens with by, or just because

Goal: a subject and a predicate that fit each other, in grammar and in meaning

Taught in Sentences That Hold Together

1. 1

   Find the verb that goes with the whole sentence, not one inside a clause in the middle.

   Why: every mismatch is between the subject and this verb, so you need the right verb first.

2. 2

   Ask the verb "who or what?" Skip every word between that subject and the verb.

   Example

   The reason the game was canceled is because the field flooded. Main verb: is. Who or what is? The reason. Skip the game was canceled.

   • the answer is a real word outside any phrase — that's the subject; go on to the next step.
   • the only answer sits inside a phrase that starts with by (or another word like in or of) — the sentence has no subject; go to the last step.
   • the only answer is a clause that starts with because or just because — that clause can't be a subject; go to the last step.

   Why: the words in the middle are what hide the mismatch from the ear.

3. 3

   Say the subject, the verb, and the words that complete it as one short sentence.

   • after is or was comes because, when, or where — the ending answers a different question; it doesn't fit.
   • the pair doesn't make sense as plain English (cost was expensive, decision agreed) — the subject can't do or be that; it doesn't fit.
   • the pair makes sense (reason is that, board agreed) — the sentence holds together; you're done.

   Why: with the middle gone, a mismatch is easy to hear.

4. 4

   Decide which half says what you mean, and change the other half to match it.

   Example

   By practicing every night shows how much she wants the part. Keep the ending and give shows a subject: Practicing every night shows how much she wants the part.

   • the subject is the one you want — keep it and change the ending: The reason is that the field flooded; The cost was high.
   • the ending is the one you want — change the subject to fit it: The game was canceled because the field flooded; The tickets were expensive.

   Why: the sentence broke because it mixed two plans, so finishing either one plan fixes it.