There are two methods to identifying the subject of a sentence is. One is in finding the subject first and the other involves finding the verb first. So, there are two questions that can be asked. They are as follows:
1. What word is the sentence telling something about?
2. Who or what is doing the action in this sentence? (Ask who or what + the verb)
- Finding the subject first
--Find the subject by asking What word is the sentence telling something about?
The answer will provide the subject. In the sentence provided, Mr. Mackey is the person that the sentence is telling something about. Therefore, Mr. Mackey is the subject of the sentence.
- Finding the verb first
--Find the verb and any of its auxiliaries by looking for an action word. In other words, ask "What is going on?" The answer is the act of giving in the future: "will give" (This verb phrase is the verb give and its auxiliary will). Then, to find the subject ask the question Who or what? before the verb(s). i.e. Who or what will give? Answer: Mr. Mackey=the subject
In summary, identify the subject by asking (1) who/what the sentence is about, or (2) identify the subject by first finding the verbs of action or existence; then ask who/what +the verb(s).
Another method is to find out first what actions are going on; that is, identify the predicate of the sentence/the verb(s), and then ask who the doer of the action(s) is/are. In the above-mentioned sentence--
Next week, Mr. Mackey will give our class an exam over grammar and writing.--
The action is that of giving ("will give"), so, then, the question can be Who will give the class an exam? Answer: Mr. Mackey=the subject of the sentence.
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