The Compound Subject Know how to identify a compound subject. To understand compound subjects, you must first know the definitions for verbs and subjects. Verbs have two functions in sentences.
Action verbs put subjects into motion.
Linking verbs , on the other hand, clarify subjects in meaningful ways. Having missed breakfast, Mariko was ravenous with hunger. All verbs must also have a subject . For action verbs, the subject is whoever or whatever does the verb. For linking verbs, the subject usually is whoever or whatever is to the left of the verb.