What is the Subject in Grammar

What is the Subject in Grammar?

Let’s discuss the subject in grammar because the word subject has different meanings. To make a sentence, we must have a subject. It is impossible to make a sentence without a subject. There is just one exceptional case. That is a passive voice sentence that we can make without a subject.

Definition of the Subject

A subject in grammar is defined as a person or thing that performs or does an action. A subject is someone or something that a sentence or clause is about. A subject in a sentence having no actions is the person or thing that a state or event refers to.

• Tom was riding when I saw him.
• John and I attended the party last night.
• My friend was at the gate to welcome us.
• What we expected was real.

Types of Subjects

Simple Subject

A simple subject is a single keyword in a sentence without any other words or modifiers.

• Ali studied math last night.
• She danced beautifully at the party.

Complete Subject

A complete subject is a combination of the simple subject and modifiers.

• My new friend encouraged me to start the business.
• The car that I showed you was my new friend’s.

Compound Subject

Compound means made up of more than one. A compound subject is made up of more than one subject functioning as a single subject. Compound subjects are coordinated by using any coordinating conjunctions.

• Tom and John started a new business.
• I and my new friend will start our own business.
• Ali and Muhammad will call you if we want to go on a picnic.

Definite Subject

A definite subject is defined as someone or something specific. It can be a proper noun, definite pronoun; or having a definite determiner or article before the key subject in the complete subject.

• Tom enjoyed the party a lot.
• My friend called me yesterday.
• That student was a genius.

Indefinite Subject

An indefinite subject is a subject that begins with an indefinite article or a determiner. To use an indefinite article as a subject is also called an indefinite subject.

• A girl must be in reception.
• An honest person is urgently required.
• Some applicants get their jobs because they have impressive CVs.
• Someone tried to steal my car, but he didn’t.

Empty or Dummy Subject

It and there are two dummy subjects. They are used as subjects in sentences. When a subject is not attached to a verb or used somewhere else in a sentence, a dummy subject is used. The subject ‘there’ is used to show the existence of something or someone. The subject ‘it’ is often used with an adjective or its complement.

• It is important to add an optional email address to your email address.
• There are many books to study.

Null or Implied (Understood)

This type of subject is not stated. It is understood. The null subject is found just in imperative sentences. It is also called zero subject. We don’t state the subject in an imperative sentence because we know that the subject is (You).  

• (you) Look at the board.
• (you) Please give me your pen just for a minute.

Forms of Subjects in Grammar

Single Noun or Pronoun As a Subject

We often use a single noun or pronoun as the subject of the sentence.

• Ali got 1^st position in his class.
• He is punctual and works hard.

Noun Phrase As a Subject

A noun phrase can be used as a subject of the sentence. When the noun phrase functions as the subject, the noun phrase performs the grammatical function of the subject. A noun phrase is a group of words that does not have a verb functioning as a noun.

• My father is planning to buy a new house.
• All students in the class must get 70% marks.
• His body language impresses people at once.

Noun Clause As a Subject

A clause is a group of words that contains a subject and verb. A clause that functions as a noun is called a noun clause.

When we use a noun clause as a subject, we call this a grammatical form of the subject.

• What you told me will be a secret.
• The documents I gave you are confidential.
• What he said diverted everyone’s mind.

Gerund or Gerund Phrase As a Subject

Gerund or a gerund phrase can be used as a subject. In such a case, gerund or gerund phrase is called a form of the subject.

• Going to school on time is mandatory.
• Reading is a good habit.
• Studying math made me tired.

Infinitive or Infinitive Phrase As a Subject

Using an infinitive or an infinitive phrase as a subject is the form of a subject. It means that we can use an infinitive or infinitive phrase as a subject.

• To study is my first priority.
• To get a high score requires hard work.
• To become a topper in the class is my aim this year.

Prepositional Phrase As a Subject

A phrase that is started with a preposition is called a prepositional phrase. It is also a form of the subject because it can be used as a subject in a sentence.

• During class disturbance is not compromised.
• Behind the wall whisper is suspected.

Implied Subject

An implied subject is a form of the subject that is used in imperative sentences but not stated. It is understood. Everyone knows to whom an order or instruction is given. In the below example, we don’t state the subject and we know that the subject is (You).

• Call him back later.

Dummy Subject

A dummy subject is also a form of the subject. We have just two dummy subjects (it, there). When a subject is not attached to a verb or used somewhere else in a sentence, a dummy subject is used. The subject ‘there’ is used to show the existence of something or someone. The subject ‘it’ is often used with an adjective or its complement.

• There are many books to study.
• It is important to add an optional email address to your email address.

Subject-Verb Agreement

There is a relationship between subject and verb in a sentence. They must agree. It depends on two things. One is a number, the other is a person. A singular subject needs a singular verb and a plural verb needs a plural verb in a sentence. A subject can be first person, second person, or third person, so the verb is also changed according to the subject.

• I want to learn English. 
• He wants to learn Spanish.
• One of my friends wants to learn Chinese.
• Tom and John want to learn Urdu.
• Tom or John has to learn Arabic.

Subject Complement

The subject complement is a word or phrase that we use after a linking verb. The subject complement contains information about the subject. They can be nouns, adjectives, pronouns, noun phrases, or adjective phrases.

• I was happy yesterday.
• He has become a nice person.
• She looked beautiful at the party.

Subject in Passive Voice

The subject discussed earlier is used in active voice. In passive voice, the recipient of an action becomes the subject. In passive voice, the subject doesn’t act; it receives the action.

• English is taught by me. (Passive voice)
• W
• The windowpane was broken by Ali. (Passive voice)

In the above examples, the subjects (English and windowpane) receive the actions. They don’t act.