The Subject in English Grammar

Introduction

In English grammar, a sentence comprises two essential components: a subject and a predicate. The subject is a fundamental element, and in this article, we will delve into what the subject is, how to identify it, and its various uses in different sentence structures.

What is a Subject?

The subject, one of the main components of a sentence, is traditionally defined as the doer of the action. It is closely linked with the predicate, which modifies the subject.

In simple terms, the subject is what the sentence is about. The predicate, on the other hand, provides information about the subject’s action or state.

Consider the following example:

• The little girl loves painting.

In this sentence, “the little girl” is the subject, and “loves painting” acts as the predicate.

In other words, the subject connects the noun phrase “the little girl” to the other elements in the sentence (i.e., the predicate).

How to Identify a Subject in a Sentence

Identifying the subject is crucial for understanding the structure of a sentence. Here are some tips to identify the subject in a sentence:

• The subject can be a single word, a group of words, or even a clause.
  • A single word (A Noun): Cats sleep on the windowsill.”
  • A group of words (A Noun Phrase): The tall man with a hat greeted us at the entrance.
  • A clause: That nothing else is good enough shouldn’t come as a surprise.
• It generally answers the question “who” or “what” the sentence is about.
  • To identify the subject, ask yourself:
    • Who or what is performing the action?
      • Example: “The big man hurt him.” Who hurt him? =>”The big man“.
• Imperatives don’t have subjects.
  • Sit down!

Subject Position in Statements, Questions, Exclamations

The position of the subject varies in different sentence types:

• Statements (Affirmative and Negative):
  • In statements, the subject typically comes before the verb.
    • Example 1: “Nurses are on strike.”
      • Position: Before the verb (“are”).
    • Example 2: “I don’t like soccer.”
      • Position: Before the verb (“don’t like”).
• Questions:
  • In questions, the subject often comes after the auxiliary or modal verb and before the main verb:
    • Example 1: “Do you like soccer?”
      • Position: After the auxiliary (“do”) and before the verb (“like”).
    • Example 2: “Have they got any excuses?”
      • Position: After the auxiliary (“have”) and before the verb (“get”).
    • Example 3: “Should we hand in the essay today?”
      • Position: After the modal (“should”) and before the verb (“hand in”).
• Exclamations:
  • In exclamations, the subject usually comes after How or What and before the verb:
    • Example 1: “What a beautiful painting it is!”
      • Position: after (“what”) and before the verb (“is”).
    • Example 2: “How wonderful the performance is!”
      • Position: after (“how”) and before the verb (“is”).

Dummy Subjects

In English, dummy subjects are used when there is no specific entity performing the action. “It” and “there” are common dummy subjects in English.

Example:

• It rains often here.
• It seems impossible to finish the project on time.
• It is important to stay hydrated during hot weather.
• It became clear that she was not telling the truth.
• It appears that the meeting has been rescheduled.
• It feels wonderful to be surrounded by nature.
• There is a book on the shelf that I want to read.
• There are many reasons why exercise is important for health.
• There was a loud noise coming from the next room.
• There will be a meeting at 3 PM tomorrow.
• There seems to be a misunderstanding about the schedule.
• There were three students absent from the class today.

Examples of Subjects in Sentences in Bold

5. Children play in the park.
6. The mysterious stranger left a note.
7. Running marathons requires endurance.
8. To study is essential for success.
9. The fact that he passed the exam surprised everyone.
10. We like to travel.
11. Birds sing beautifully in the morning.
12. The new policy caused controversy.
13. Eating vegetables is good for health.
14. She won the competition.
15. The mountain range appears majestic.
16. To understand complex topics takes time.
17. They painted the room blue.
18. The idea seemed intriguing.
19. To dance is her passion.
20. I enjoy reading novels.
21. The unexpected turn of events shocked everyone.
22. The team performed exceptionally well.
23. To solve the puzzle requires patience.
24. It is raining outside.

Conclusion

In conclusion, a subject in English grammar is a fundamental element of a sentence, serving as the focus or doer of the action. It is the entity about which the statement is made and is closely connected to the predicate. The latter provides information about the subject’s action or state.

The subject can take the form of a single word, a group of words (Noun Phrase), or even a clause.

Understanding the subject is essential for constructing clear and meaningful sentences, as it determines who or what the sentence is about and facilitates effective communication in written and spoken language.