The subject is a fundamental element of English grammar, acting as the cornerstone of sentence structure. Identifying the subject correctly is crucial for constructing grammatically sound and meaningful sentences.
Whether you are a student learning the basics, a non-native speaker aiming for fluency, or simply someone looking to brush up on your grammar skills, understanding the subject is essential. This article provides a comprehensive guide to the subject in English, covering its definition, types, usage rules, common mistakes, and advanced topics.
Through clear explanations, numerous examples, and practical exercises, you will gain a solid understanding of this key grammatical concept.
Mastering the subject will not only improve your writing and speaking skills but also enhance your ability to comprehend complex sentence structures and nuanced meanings. This guide is designed to be accessible and informative, providing you with the tools and knowledge necessary to confidently navigate the intricacies of English grammar.
Table of Contents
- Definition of Subject
- Structural Breakdown
- Types and Categories of Subjects
- Examples of Subjects
- Usage Rules for Subjects
- Common Mistakes with Subjects
- Practice Exercises
- Advanced Topics
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion
Definition of Subject
The subject of a sentence is the noun, pronoun, or noun phrase that performs the action or is described by the verb. It is the main focus of the sentence and tells us who or what the sentence is about. The subject typically appears before the verb, although there are exceptions, especially in questions or sentences with inverted word order. Understanding the subject is critical because it dictates the form of the verb through subject-verb agreement.
In essence, the subject is the actor or the entity being acted upon (in the case of passive voice) within the sentence. It is the element that controls the verb’s conjugation and provides the primary context for understanding the sentence’s meaning.
Without a clear subject, a sentence can become confusing or grammatically incorrect.
Structural Breakdown
The basic structure of a simple sentence is Subject + Verb (+ Object/Complement). The subject is typically a noun or pronoun, but it can also be a noun phrase or a gerund phrase. Let’s break down the components:
- Noun: A person, place, thing, or idea (e.g., dog, park, happiness).
- Pronoun: A word that replaces a noun (e.g., he, she, it, they).
- Noun Phrase: A group of words that functions as a noun (e.g., The big, brown dog).
- Gerund Phrase: A phrase beginning with a gerund (a verb acting as a noun) (e.g., Swimming in the ocean).
The subject identifies the entity performing the action, while the verb indicates the action itself. The object (if present) receives the action, and the complement provides more information about the subject.
In more complex sentences, the subject might be part of a clause or a phrase, but its function remains the same: to identify what the sentence is about.
Types and Categories of Subjects
Subjects can be categorized based on their complexity and function within a sentence. Understanding these different types can help you analyze and construct sentences more effectively.
Simple Subject
The simple subject is the main noun or pronoun that performs the action or is described by the verb. It does not include any modifiers or descriptive words. It’s the most basic form of a subject.
Examples:
- John is reading a book.
- She is a doctor.
- Dogs bark loudly.
Compound Subject
A compound subject consists of two or more nouns or pronouns joined by a conjunction (usually and, or, or nor) that share the same verb. The verb agreement depends on the conjunction used.
Examples:
- John and Mary are going to the party.
- Neither the cat nor the dog is allowed on the furniture.
- Coffee or tea is a good choice.
Complete Subject
The complete subject includes the simple subject and all its modifiers. It encompasses all the words that describe or modify the subject.
Examples:
- The tall, handsome man is standing by the door.
- My favorite red sweater is in the laundry.
- The students who studied diligently passed the exam.
Implied Subject
An implied subject is a subject that is not explicitly stated in the sentence but is understood from the context. This is most common in imperative sentences (commands or requests), where the subject is usually you.
Examples:
- (You) Close the door.
- (You) Be quiet.
- (You) Please take a seat.
Delayed Subject (Expletive Construction)
A delayed subject, also known as an expletive construction, uses words like there or it to delay the introduction of the actual subject. The expletive acts as a placeholder, and the true subject usually follows the verb.
Examples:
- There are many stars in the sky. (Subject: stars)
- It is important to study regularly. (Subject: to study regularly)
- There is a cat on the roof. (Subject: cat)
Examples of Subjects
To further illustrate the different types of subjects, here are several examples organized into tables. These examples cover a range of sentence structures and subject types.
The following table provides examples of simple subjects in various sentences. Notice how the subject is the primary noun or pronoun performing the action.
| Sentence | Simple Subject |
|---|---|
| The cat sat on the mat. | Cat |
| He is a talented musician. | He |
| Students study hard for exams. | Students |
| Rain falls from the sky. | Rain |
| Birds fly south for the winter. | Birds |
| She sings beautifully. | She |
| The sun shines brightly. | Sun |
| We are going to the beach. | We |
| The car needs to be washed. | Car |
| It is a beautiful day. | It |
| Flowers bloom in the spring. | Flowers |
| They are my best friends. | They |
| The book is on the table. | Book |
| Time flies when you’re having fun. | Time |
| Music soothes the soul. | Music |
| He is a kind person. | He |
| The tree grows tall. | Tree |
| Food is necessary for survival. | Food |
| Love conquers all. | Love |
| She is coming to visit. | She |
| The house is very big. | House |
| Water is essential for life. | Water |
| I am going to the store. | I |
This table showcases compound subjects, where two or more subjects are joined by a conjunction. Pay attention to how the verb agrees with the compound subject.
| Sentence | Compound Subject |
|---|---|
| John and Mary are students. | John and Mary |
| The cat and the dog are playing together. | Cat and dog |
| Coffee or tea is my preferred beverage. | Coffee or tea |
| Neither he nor she is available. | Neither he nor she |
| My brother and I are going to the game. | My brother and I |
| Apples and bananas are my favorite fruits. | Apples and bananas |
| Reading and writing are important skills. | Reading and writing |
| The teacher and the students are in the classroom. | Teacher and the students |
| Pizza and pasta are Italian dishes. | Pizza and pasta |
| The sun and the moon are celestial bodies. | Sun and moon |
| He and his friend are planning a trip. | He and his friend |
| Cars and buses are common modes of transportation. | Cars and buses |
| Neither rain nor snow will stop us. | Neither rain nor snow |
| She and I are working on a project. | She and I |
| The book and the pen are on the desk. | The book and the pen |
| My parents and my siblings are visiting. | My parents and my siblings |
| Dogs and cats make great pets. | Dogs and cats |
| Football and basketball are popular sports. | Football and basketball |
| The president and the vice president are giving a speech. | The president and the vice president |
| Bread and butter is a simple meal. | Bread and butter |
| You and he should work together. | You and he |
| The actor and the director are collaborating. | The actor and the director |
| Ice cream and cake are great for dessert. | Ice cream and cake |
The subsequent table demonstrates complete subjects, including the simple subject along with all its modifiers. These examples illustrate how the complete subject provides a more detailed description.
| Sentence | Complete Subject |
|---|---|
| The little girl with the red shoes is dancing. | The little girl with the red shoes |
| My old, blue car needs repairs. | My old, blue car |
| The students who studied diligently passed the test. | The students who studied diligently |
| That tall, handsome man is a doctor. | That tall, handsome man |
| The book on the top shelf is very interesting. | The book on the top shelf |
| The dog with the floppy ears is very friendly. | The dog with the floppy ears |
| The house across the street is for sale. | The house across the street |
| The movie that we watched last night was amazing. | The movie that we watched last night |
| The flowers in the garden are blooming. | The flowers in the garden |
| The coffee from that cafe is delicious. | The coffee from that cafe |
| The man wearing the hat is my uncle. | The man wearing the hat |
| The woman with the long hair is a singer. | The woman with the long hair |
| The children playing in the park are having fun. | The children playing in the park |
| The food on the table looks appetizing. | The food on the table |
| The music playing in the background is relaxing. | The music playing in the background |
| The car parked outside is mine. | The car parked outside |
| The people waiting in line are patient. | The people waiting in line |
| The city covered in snow is beautiful. | The city covered in snow |
| The project due next week needs to be completed. | The project due next week |
| The idea that he proposed is innovative. | The idea that he proposed |
| The lesson that we learned today was important. | The lesson that we learned today |
| The solution to the problem is complex. | The solution to the problem |
| The journey that they took was long. | The journey that they took |
This table provides examples of implied subjects. Remember, the subject is usually “you” in imperative sentences, even though it is not explicitly stated.
| Sentence | Implied Subject |
|---|---|
| Close the door. | (You) |
| Be quiet. | (You) |
| Please sit down. | (You) |
| Listen carefully. | (You) |
| Do your homework. | (You) |
| Help me. | (You) |
| Wash your hands. | (You) |
| Come here. | (You) |
| Don’t touch that. | (You) |
| Read the instructions. | (You) |
| Answer the question. | (You) |
| Turn off the lights. | (You) |
| Open your book. | (You) |
| Speak clearly. | (You) |
| Be respectful. | (You) |
| Think before you speak. | (You) |
| Practice every day. | (You) |
| Stay focused. | (You) |
| Believe in yourself. | (You) |
| Take a break. | (You) |
| Always try your best. | (You) |
| Remember to smile. | (You) |
| Enjoy the moment. | (You) |
The next table shows sentences with delayed subjects (expletive constructions). The words “there” or “it” act as place holders, and the actual subject comes later in the sentence.
| Sentence | Delayed Subject | Actual Subject |
|---|---|---|
| There is a book on the table. | There | Book |
| It is important to study. | It | To study |
| There are many reasons to be happy. | There | Reasons |
| It is raining outside. | It | Raining |
| There was a loud noise. | There | Noise |
| It seems that he is tired. | It | That he is tired |
| There will be a meeting tomorrow. | There | Meeting |
| It is necessary to eat healthy food. | It | To eat healthy food |
| There used to be a park here. | There | Park |
| It is difficult to learn a new language. | It | To learn a new language |
| There are several ways to solve this problem. | There | Ways |
| It is essential to get enough sleep. | It | To get enough sleep |
| There is no doubt that he is guilty. | There | Doubt |
| It is a pleasure to meet you. | It | To meet you |
| There are many stars in the sky. | There | Stars |
| It is my understanding that you are leaving. | It | That you are leaving |
| There appears to be a mistake. | There | Mistake |
| It is a good idea to exercise regularly. | It | To exercise regularly |
| There is a solution to every problem. | There | Solution |
| It is obvious that he is lying. | It | That he is lying |
| There are many opportunities available. | There | Opportunities |
| It is important to be kind. | It | To be kind |
| There is something I need to tell you. | There | Something |
Usage Rules for Subjects
Several rules govern the proper use of subjects in English grammar. Adhering to these rules ensures clarity and grammatical correctness.
- Subject-Verb Agreement: The verb must agree in number with the subject. Singular subjects take singular verbs, and plural subjects take plural verbs.
- Pronoun Case: Use the correct case of pronouns for subjects (e.g., I, he, she, we, they).
- Compound Subjects and Verb Agreement: When subjects are joined by and, use a plural verb. When joined by or or nor, the verb agrees with the subject closest to it.
- Collective Nouns: Collective nouns (e.g., team, family, committee) can be singular or plural depending on whether they are acting as a unit or as individual members.
- Indefinite Pronouns: Some indefinite pronouns (e.g., each, every, everyone, someone) are always singular, while others (e.g., both, few, several) are always plural.
Understanding these rules and their exceptions is crucial for writing grammatically correct sentences. Pay close attention to subject-verb agreement and pronoun case, as these are common areas where errors occur.
Common Mistakes with Subjects
Several common mistakes can occur when using subjects in English sentences. Recognizing these errors and understanding how to correct them can significantly improve your writing.
- Incorrect Subject-Verb Agreement: Mismatching the subject and verb in number.
- Incorrect Pronoun Case: Using the wrong form of a pronoun as the subject.
- Misidentifying the Subject: Failing to correctly identify the main noun or pronoun performing the action.
- Agreement with Intervening Phrases: Incorrectly making the verb agree with a noun in a phrase that comes between the subject and the verb.
- Compound Subject Agreement Errors: Mistakes in verb agreement with compound subjects joined by and, or, or nor.
Here are some examples of common mistakes and their corrections:
| Incorrect | Correct | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| The students is studying. | The students are studying. | Subject-verb agreement: “students” is plural, so the verb should be “are.” |
| Me and him went to the store. | He and I went to the store. | Pronoun case: “I” is the correct subjective case pronoun. |
| There is many reasons to be happy. | There are many reasons to be happy. | Subject-verb agreement: “reasons” is plural, so the verb should be “are.” |
| Each of the students have a book. | Each of the students has a book. | Indefinite pronoun agreement: “Each” is singular, so the verb should be “has.” |
| The quality of the apples are poor. | The quality of the apples is poor. | Agreement with intervening phrases: The subject is “quality” (singular), not “apples.” |
| Neither John nor his friends is going. | Neither John nor his friends are going. | Compound subject agreement: The verb agrees with the closest subject, “friends” (plural). |
| It is I who is responsible. | It is I who am responsible. | Pronoun case and subject-verb agreement: The verb agrees with “I,” so it should be “am.” |
| The dog, along with his puppies, are playing. | The dog, along with his puppies, is playing. | The subject is “dog,” not “puppies,” so the verb should be singular. |
Practice Exercises
Test your understanding of subjects with the following exercises. Identify the subject in each sentence and indicate its type (simple, compound, complete, implied, or delayed).
Exercise 1: Identifying the Subject
| Sentence | Subject | Type |
|---|---|---|
| The old house on the hill is haunted. | ||
| John and Mary are planning a trip. | ||
| Close the window. | ||
| There are many opportunities in this city. | ||
| She is a talented artist. | ||
| The cat with the green eyes is sleeping. | ||
| Neither he nor she is available. | ||
| It is important to study regularly. | ||
| The students in the classroom are listening. | ||
| Help me with this problem. |
Exercise 1: Answers
| Sentence | Subject | Type |
|---|---|---|
| The old house on the hill is haunted. | The old house on the hill | Complete |
| John and Mary are planning a trip. | John and Mary | Compound |
| Close the window. | (You) | Implied |
| There are many opportunities in this city. | Opportunities | Delayed |
| She is a talented artist. | She | Simple |
| The cat with the green eyes is sleeping. | The cat with the green eyes | Complete |
| Neither he nor she is available. | Neither he nor she | Compound |
| It is important to study regularly. | To study regularly | Delayed |
| The students in the classroom are listening. | The students in the classroom | Complete |
| Help me with this problem. | (You) | Implied |
Exercise 2: Subject-Verb Agreement
Choose the correct form of the verb in the following sentences:
- The dog (barks/bark) loudly.
- The students (is/are) studying for the exam.
- Each of the books (is/are) interesting.
- John and Mary (is/are) going to the party.
- There (is/are) many reasons to be happy.
- It (is/are) important to eat healthy food.
- The team (is/are) playing well.
- Neither he nor she (is/are) available.
- The quality of the apples (is/are) poor.
- Swimming (is/are) a good exercise.
Exercise 2: Answers
- The dog barks loudly.
- The students are studying for the exam.
- Each of the books is interesting.
- John and Mary are going to the party.
- There are many reasons to be happy.
- It is important to eat healthy food.
- The team is playing well. (acting as a unit)
- Neither he nor she is available.
- The quality of the apples is poor.
- Swimming is a good exercise.
Exercise 3: Correcting Mistakes
Identify and correct the mistakes in the following sentences:
- The girl, along with her friends, are going to the movies.
- Me and my brother is planning a vacation.
- There is many people at the park.
- Each of the students have a different opinion.
- The books on the shelf is mine.
Exercise 3: Answers
- Incorrect: The girl, along with her friends, are going to the movies. Correct: The girl, along with her friends, is going to the movies.
- Incorrect: Me and my brother is planning a vacation. Correct: My brother and I are planning a vacation.
- Incorrect: There is many people at the park. Correct: There are many people at the park.
- Incorrect: Each of the students have a different opinion. Correct: Each of the students has a different opinion.
- Incorrect: The books on the shelf is mine. Correct: The books on the shelf are mine.
Advanced Topics
For advanced learners, understanding the subject extends beyond the basic identification and usage rules. Here are some more complex aspects to consider.
Subject-Verb Agreement
Subject-verb agreement can become tricky with collective nouns, indefinite pronouns, and compound subjects. Understanding the nuances of these cases is essential for advanced writing.
For example, collective nouns can be singular or plural depending on the context. If the group is acting as a single unit, the verb is singular.
If the members of the group are acting individually, the verb is plural.
Examples:
- The team is playing well. (The team as a unit)
- The team are arguing about the strategy. (Individual members arguing)
Subject Complements
A subject complement is a word or phrase that follows a linking verb (e.g., is, are, was, were, seems, becomes) and describes or identifies the subject. Subject complements can be adjectives, nouns, or pronouns.
Examples:
- She is a doctor. (Noun)
- The sky is blue. (Adjective)
- It was he. (Pronoun)
Subjects in Clauses
Complex sentences often contain multiple clauses, each with its own subject and verb. Identifying the subject in each clause is crucial for understanding the sentence’s structure and meaning.
Examples:
- Because he studied hard, he passed the exam. (Subject of the subordinate clause: he)
- She knows that he is coming. (Subject of the noun clause: he)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions about the subject in English grammar.
- What is the difference between a simple subject and a complete subject?
A simple subject is the main noun or pronoun that performs the action, while a complete subject includes the simple subject and all its modifiers. The simple subject is the core of the subject, while the complete subject provides more detail and context.
- How do I identify the subject in a sentence?
Look for the noun or pronoun that performs the action or is described by the verb. Ask yourself, “Who or what is doing something?” or “Who or what is being described?” The answer is usually the subject.
- What is an implied subject, and where is it commonly used?
An implied subject is a subject that is not explicitly stated in the sentence but is understood from the context. It is commonly used in imperative sentences (commands or requests), where the subject is usually you.
- How does subject-verb agreement work with compound subjects?
When subjects are joined by and, use a plural verb. When joined by or or nor, the verb agrees with the subject closest to it. However, if the compound subject refers to a single entity (e.g., “bread and butter”), the verb is singular.
- What is a delayed subject, and how do I identify it?
A delayed subject, also known as an expletive construction, uses words like there or
it to postpone the introduction of the real subject. To identify it, look for sentences starting with “there” or “it” and find the actual noun or pronoun that follows the verb.
Conclusion
Understanding the subject is essential for mastering English grammar. By grasping the definition, structural breakdown, types, usage rules, and common mistakes associated with subjects, you can significantly improve your writing and speaking skills.
This comprehensive guide has provided you with the knowledge and tools necessary to confidently identify and use subjects correctly in various contexts. Continue practicing and applying these concepts to further enhance your understanding and fluency in English.