The Subject in English Grammar: A Comprehensive Guide

Highlight the Subjects

Select the subject in the sentence below:

The subject is a crucial component of a sentence, indicating who or what the sentence is about. It can be singular, plural, compound, implied, or even tricky to identify in certain cases. Understanding subjects thoroughly enhances clarity in communication and grammar proficiency.

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What is a Subject?

A subject is the noun, pronoun, or noun phrase that performs or is described in the sentence.

✅ Example:

• Alice loves reading. (Subject: Alice, Verb: loves)
• The roaring wind shook the windows. (Subject: The roaring wind, Verb: shook)

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Types of Subjects:

1. Simple Subject

A Simple Subject is the most basic form of a subject, consisting of just a single noun or pronoun. It is the core element of the subject, which tells us who or what is performing the action in the sentence.

Example:

• Dog barked loudly.
  • “Dog” is the simple subject here. It is the noun performing the action.
• She is going to the market.
  • “She” is the simple subject. It’s the pronoun acting as the subject.

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2. Compound Subject

A Compound Subject consists of two or more simple subjects that are joined by a conjunction (like “and,” “or,” or “nor”). The subjects are still acting together to perform the action of the verb.

Example:

• Tom and Jerry are best friends.
  • “Tom and Jerry” form the compound subject. Both names represent the people performing the action.
• Neither the teacher nor the students were aware of the schedule change.
  • “Neither the teacher nor the students” is the compound subject formed by two nouns joined by “nor.”

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3. Proper Noun Subject

A Proper Noun Subject is the specific name of a person, place, or thing. Proper nouns are capitalized and refer to unique entities, like individuals, locations, or titles.

Example:

• Shakespeare wrote many famous plays.
  • “Shakespeare” is the proper noun subject because it refers to a specific person.
• Paris is known for its art and culture.
  • “Paris” is the proper noun subject, referring to a specific city.

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4. Collective Noun Subject

A Collective Noun Subject refers to a group of people, animals, or things considered as a single unit. Although collective nouns represent groups, they take singular verbs in sentences.

Example:

• The team won the championship.
  • “The team” is a collective noun subject. Even though it represents a group of players, it is treated as a single unit.
• The audience cheered for the performers.
  • “The audience” is the collective noun subject.

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5. Abstract Noun Subject

An Abstract Noun Subject refers to concepts, ideas, or qualities that cannot be touched or seen physically. These nouns express intangible things like emotions, conditions, or thoughts.

Example:

• Happiness is important in life.
  • “Happiness” is an abstract noun subject, referring to an emotion or state of being.
• Courage helped him face the challenge.
  • “Courage” is another example of an abstract noun subject.

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6. Gerund Subject

A Gerund Subject is formed when a verb ending in -ing (called a gerund) acts as a noun. It functions as the subject of the sentence, even though it retains some verb-like qualities.

Example:

• Swimming is my favorite sport.
  • “Swimming” is a gerund subject. Although it comes from the verb “swim,” it functions as a noun in this sentence.
• Reading helps improve vocabulary.
  • “Reading” is the gerund subject.

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7. Infinitive Subject

An Infinitive Subject is a noun made from the base form of a verb preceded by “to.” Infinitives act as nouns in sentences, and they can function as subjects, objects, or complements.

Example:

• To travel is my dream.
  • “To travel” is an infinitive subject. The verb “travel” is in its base form, preceded by “to.”
• To learn new languages is exciting.
  • “To learn” is the infinitive subject here.

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8. Noun Clause Subject

A Noun Clause Subject is a dependent clause that functions as the subject of the sentence. Noun clauses are introduced by words like “that,” “how,” “why,” “who,” or “what.”

Example:

• What he said surprised everyone.
  • “What he said” is a noun clause subject. It is a complete idea that functions as the subject of the sentence.
• How she solved the problem is unclear.
  • “How she solved the problem” is the noun clause subject.

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9. Indefinite Pronoun Subject

An Indefinite Pronoun Subject refers to non-specific people or things. These pronouns do not point to a particular noun but rather indicate general quantities or groups.

Example:

• Everyone enjoyed the party.
  • “Everyone” is an indefinite pronoun subject. It refers to people in general.
• Something smells delicious in the kitchen.
  • “Something” is an indefinite pronoun subject.

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10. Delayed Subject

A Delayed Subject occurs when the real subject of the sentence appears later after the introductory words like “there” or “it.” The structure shifts to place emphasis on other elements, often for stylistic reasons.

Example:

• There is a book on the table.
  • The real subject is “a book,” but it appears later in the sentence after “there.”
• It was raining heavily.
  • The real subject is “raining,” which is delayed by the introductory “it.”

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11. Tricky Subjects (Singular or Plural?)

Some subjects appear plural but are actually singular in meaning.

🔹 Singular Subjects That Seem Plural:

• The number of birds in the town is increasing. (Subject: The number, Singular)
• A pack of wolves is roaming the forest. (Subject: A pack, Singular)

🔹 Plural Subjects That Seem Singular:

• Scissors are on the table. (Subject: Scissors, Plural)
• My trousers need washing. (Subject: Trousers, Plural)

🔹 Special Cases:

• Each of the students is responsible for their work. (Subject: Each, Singular)
• None of the cakes were eaten. (Subject: None, Plural depending on context)

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Subjects in Active and Passive Voice

Active Voice

The subject performs the action.
✅ Example:

• The scientist discovered a new planet. (Subject: The scientist, Verb: discovered)

Passive Voice

The subject receives the action.
✅ Example:

• A new planet was discovered by the scientist. (Subject: A new planet, Verb: was discovered)

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Subjects in Complex Sentences

In complex sentences, the subject can appear in different positions.

✅ Example:

• What she said surprised everyone. (Subject: What she said)
• That you are working hard is evident. (Subject: That you are working hard)

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Common Mistakes in Identifying Subjects

❌ Incorrect: The group of students are excited.
✅ Correct: The group of students is excited. (Subject: The group, Singular)

❌ Incorrect: The people in the hall loves the performance.
✅ Correct: The people in the hall love the performance. (Subject: The people, Plural)

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Practice Exercises

Exercise 1: Identify the Subject

Find the subject in each sentence:

1. The collection of stamps is valuable.
2. There are many flowers in the garden.
3. Either my brother or my parents are coming.
4. What she wrote in the letter was touching.
5. My best friend and I love hiking.

(Answers at the end!)

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Exercise 2: Active to Passive Conversion

Rewrite these sentences in the passive voice:

1. The teacher explained the lesson.
2. The dog chased the cat.
3. The company launched a new product.
4. The students completed the project.

(Answers at the end!)

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Answers to Exercises

Exercise 1 Answers:

1. The collection of stamps (Singular)
2. There (Dummy subject) – Actual subject: many flowers
3. Either my brother or my parents (Plural)
4. What she wrote in the letter (Singular)
5. My best friend and I (Plural)

Exercise 2 Answers (Passive Voice):

1. The lesson was explained by the teacher.
2. The cat was chased by the dog.
3. A new product was launched by the company.
4. The project was completed by the students.

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Final Thoughts

The different types of subjects in English provide you with various ways to construct sentences, each with its unique role and usage. Mastering these subjects helps improve sentence variety, clarity, and the ability to express a wide range of ideas. By understanding these subject types, you can write with more precision, depth, and style, whether you’re crafting a simple statement or a more complex sentence. Happy writing!

💡 Keep practising with more interactive quizzes on www.goltc.in for a deeper understanding! 🚀