Our article provides a clear understanding of the 'subject' in English grammar. You'll learn its 'definition', 'types', and how to 'identify subjects' in sentences. We cover 'imperative sentences', 'questions', 'passive voice', 'pronouns as subjects', and 'compound subjects' with examples. Whether you're a beginner or refining your skills, this guide will help you master sentence subjects.
The subject is the part of a sentence that tells 'who or what the sentence is about'. It usually performs the action of the verb or is described by it.
A subject is the noun, pronoun, or noun phrase that represents the 'doer of the action' (in an active sentence) or the 'receiver of a description' (in a passive sentence).
The types of subjects in grammar are important because they determine the structure of a sentence, affect verb agreement, and help convey meaning clearly. Understanding different subject types enhances communication, writing skills, and comprehension. Here are the main types of subjects and why they are important:
Simple Subject: A simple subject is the main noun or pronoun in a sentence that tells who or what the sentence is about. It does not include modifiers or additional details. For examples:
Complete Subject: The complete subject is the part of a sentence that includes the main noun or pronoun (simple subject) and all the words that modify or describe it. It tells us who or what the sentence is about. For examples:
Compound Subject: A compound subject in grammar is a subject that consists of two or more nouns, pronouns, or noun phrases joined by a coordinating conjunction (such as and, or, or nor). The compound subject acts as a single unit in a sentence and typically shares the same verb. For examples:
Implied Subject: An implied subject is a subject that is not explicitly stated in a sentence but is understood from the context. This often happens in commands (imperative sentences) and conversational English. For examples:
Gerund/Infinitive as a Subject: In English, both gerunds (verb + -ing) and infinitives (to + verb) can function as the subject of a sentence. These forms act like nouns, meaning they take the place of a subject in a sentence. However, their usage differs slightly in terms of meaning and preference. For examples:
Noun Clause as a Subject: A noun clause is a dependent clause that functions as a noun in a sentence. When a noun clause acts as the 'subject', it takes the place of a noun and performs the action of the verb in the sentence. For examples:
The subject of a sentence is the part that tells us 'who or what' the sentence is about. It usually includes a 'noun or pronoun' and sometimes accompanying words (modifiers). The subject performs the action or is described in the sentence.
How to Identify the Subject:
Examples:
The subject of a sentence is the person, place, thing, or idea that performs the action or is being described. Here are some examples:
Imperative sentences typically give commands, instructions, requests, or advice. They often have an implied subject, which is 'you', even though it is not explicitly stated.
Subjects in Imperative Sentences:
The subject in a question refers to the person, place, thing, or idea the question is about. While it typically appears before the main verb, interrogative sentences can make it harder to identify. In some cases, the subject follows the verb, requiring careful analysis to pinpoint it accurately.
Types of Questions and Their Subjects:
Subject Questions: These questions ask 'who' or 'what' is performing the action. The question word itself is the subject. For examples:
Object Questions: These questions ask about the object of the sentence, not the subject. The subject comes before the verb, while the question word refers to the object. For examples:
Yes/No Questions: These questions begin with an auxiliary verb (is/are, do/does, has/have, etc.) and require a 'yes' or 'no' answer. The subject comes after the auxiliary verb. For examples:
Questions with 'Which' or 'What' + Noun: When 'which' or 'what' is followed by a noun, the noun is often the subject of the sentence. For examples:
Indirect Questions: In indirect questions, the subject follows normal sentence structure, even though the sentence is a question. For examples:
In passive voice, the subject of the sentence receives the action instead of performing it. The focus shifts from the doer (agent) to the receiver of the action.
Structure of Passive Voice: Subject (Receiver) + Auxiliary Verb (be) + Past Participle + (by + Agent, optional)
Examples:
A subject pronoun is a pronoun that takes the place of a noun and acts as the subject of a sentence. These pronouns perform the action in a sentence.
Examples of Subject Pronouns: I, You, He, She, It, We, They
Usage in Sentences:
Compound sentences with multiple subjects have two or more independent clauses joined by coordinating conjunctions (such as and, but, or, so, yet, for, nor). Each independent clause has its own subject and verb.
Here are some examples: