"What makes you happy?"
I often see the sentence " what makes you happy" printed on a poster. Why do we add s behind the verb make? I thought we only add s behind a verb when the subject is third person singular.
20 Answers
2 from verified tutorsThe three most basic kinds of questions: subject questions, object questions and yes or no questions.
SUBJECT QUESTIONS Subject questions are questions we ask when we want information about the subject of something. The subject of a sentence is the person or thing that performs the action. We use subject questions to ask who or which person or thing does something: for example, “Who rode the train to work?” and “Which fruits make the best juice?”
Find out your English level.
Take this 5-min test to see how close you are to achieving your language learning goals.
OBJECT QUESTIONS Object questions are sometimes called “wh-questions” or “five w” questions” because they begin with one of five “wh” words: “who,” “what,” “when,” “where” and “why.” They can also begin with “how,” “how much” or “how many.”
A MNEMONIC to remember when forming object questions is QUASM and it works for most verb tenses. The QU = “question word” The A = “auxiliary verb” The S = “subject” The M =“main verb”
What does your friend do for a living? What does Dad bring home from the factory?
Information Question Structure: WHAT is used to refer to specific information. (I want to know the thing) What makes that sound? What happens at the carnival?
What makes you happy? The “makes” in that sentence refers to the “what” in the question. "What IS THE THING THAT makes you happy?"
What makes you happy
What makes you (to be) happy
Question word - What
Auxiliary - makes
Subject - you
Main verb – to be
Extra information…. – happy
I want to know (what) THE THING that: MAKES you happy GETS you excited DRIVES you crazy SATISFIES your thirst MOVES to dance MAKES that noise
What makes you happy?
You could answer it: It makes me happy She makes me happy He makes me happy
All third person singular
It makes YOU happy She makes YOU happy He makes YOU happy
“YOU” is the object of the action. Objects are noun phrases that are included in the predicate, the things being acted upon by the verb.
Here are parts of a sentence to help you understand how to answer the questions you form.
Required Parts of a Sentence Subject In general, the subject refers to the part of the sentence that tells who or what the sentence is about. The subject is a noun, pronoun or noun phrase. For example: There are a few different types of subjects. A simple subject is just one word, without any modifiers, usually a noun or pronoun. A complete subject is the simple subject plus all modifiers. A compound subject is made up of more than one subject element.
Question around subject: Example: "Swimming is not foremost in Midge's mind; he prefers surfing." My english book have identified swimming = subject of the verb is; surfing = subject of the verb prefers. I dont understand how surfing is the subject of the verb prefers.
Hi Andi Surfing is actually not the subject of the verb prefers. “HE” is actually the subject.
Let’s look at the basic parts of a sentence
Every complete sentence contains two parts: a subject and a predicate. The subject is what (or whom) the sentence is about, while the predicate tells something about the subject. The basic parts of a sentence are the subject, the verb, and (often, but not always) the object. The subject is usually a noun—a word that names a person, place, or thing. The verb (or predicate) usually follows the subject and identifies an action or a state of being.
The SUBJECT – (usually a noun) - a word that names a person, place, or thing The VERB (or predicate) (usually follows the subject) - identifies an action or a state of being. The OBJECT is a noun phrase that is included in the predicate. It is the thing being acted upon by the verb. The object is a noun, phrase, or pronoun. The object is an optional part of a sentence.
The SUBJECT Sentences can have more than one subject and more than one verb SWIMMING is not foremost in Midge's mind; HE prefers surfing.
The OBJECT The object is an optional part of a sentence. It’s only necessary for transitive verbs.
The VERB Sentences can have more than one subject and more than one verb Swimming IS not foremost in Midge's mind; he PREFERS surfing
A TRANSITIVE verb is one that only makes sense if it exerts its action on an object. TRANSITIVE verbs always need an object. An intransitive verb will make sense without one. Some verbs may be used both ways. A TRANSITIVE verb needs to TRANSFER its action to something or someone—an object. In essence, transitive means “to AFFECT SOMETHING ELSE.” Love, like, don't like, hate, prefer and enjoy are Transitive Verbs. They always need an Object.
Swimming is not foremost in Midge's mind; he prefers surfing.
Swimming is not foremost in Midge's mind. Verb = IS Who or what IS? ...... Swimming Therefore, SWIMMING is the subject.
Midge prefers surfing. Verb = Prefers Prefers - Transitive verb in the 3rd person present tense Verb = Surfing Surfing – Present participle; Progressive or Continuous / Gerund Noun = Surfing
Surfing is used as a noun in this context, not as a verb. It therefore is the object of the verb Prefer is a transitive verb so we need an object after the verb, hence surfing.
Midge prefers….. He prefers…..
You need an object that completes the verbs’ action Without the object the result would be illogical and questions would be raised in the mind of the reader as to what Midge prefers or what He prefers.
Midge prefers….. (What or whom) He prefers….. (What or whom)
OBJECTS are noun phrases that are included in the predicate. They are the things being acted upon by the verb. They are optional parts of a sentence. A verb may be followed by an object that completes the verb's meaning. Two kinds of objects follow verbs: direct objects and indirect objects. To determine if a verb has a direct object, isolate the verb and make it into a question by placing "whom?" or "what?" after it. The answer, if there is one, is the direct object.
Subject-Verb Agreement General Rules
Basic Rule. A singular subject (she, Bill, car) takes a singular verb (is, goes, shines), whereas a plural subject takes a plural verb.
The list of items is/are on the desk. If you know that list is the subject, then you will choose is for the verb.
Hi Students.
Sign up for lessons here at Preply and learn more.
Best regards
Still need help?
Find an online tutor for 1-on-1 lessons and master the knowledge you need! Prices from just $5 per hour.
You might be interested in
English community experts
Click on a tutor to learn more about them
thanks, I appreciate your help.