3. Subjects coming after the Verbs

The subject usually comes before the verb , but there are sentences that have the subjects coming after the verbs. The verbs must still agree with the subjects.

“There” and "here."

Sentences that start with  there  or here  will always have the subject placed after the verb. It’s important to identify the subject correctly so that the right singular or plural verb is used to match the subject. There  and here  are never used as subjects. The subjects in the following examples are nouns in bold.

Examples:

  • There  is a fly  on your forehead.
  • There were three  big men  seated at the next table staring at me.
  • Here are   the  two dollars  (that) I owe you.
  • Here is  the cemetery  where the whole family were buried.

In questions, the subject usually comes after the verb.

Examples:

  • Does  your girlfriend  know you have a string of ex-girlfriends?
  • Have you  heard my her ghost story yet?
  • Where are  my potato chips  on the table?

The following examples show the subjects and their verbs in bold.

Examples:

  • Winding through the valley  is  a polluted  river .
  • On top of the hill  was  a wooden  shed .
  • Along the lonely stretch of beach  were fishermen  mending their nets.
  • Looking through his binoculars,  he watches  an eagle soaring high overhead.