When we talk or write, we use words to convey meaning. A sentence is a group of words that expresses a complete thought. In a sentence, there are two main parts: the subject and the predicate. The subject is the part of the sentence that tells us what or whom the sentence is about, while the predicate tells us what the subject is doing or what is happening to the subject. In this article, we will focus on the subject in grammar.
What is a Subject?
A subject is a noun, pronoun, or noun phrase that performs the action in a sentence. It is the doer of the action and is always found in the beginning of a sentence. For example, in the sentence "Sara is going to the store," the subject is "Sara." The subject tells us who or what is performing the action of going to the store.
Types of Subjects
There are two main types of subjects: simple subjects and compound subjects. A simple subject is a single noun or pronoun that performs the action of the sentence. For example, in the sentence "The cat ran away," the simple subject is "cat." A compound subject is made up of two or more nouns or pronouns that share the same verb. For example, in the sentence "John and Mary went to the beach," the compound subject is "John and Mary."
Subject-Verb Agreement
When we use a subject in a sentence, we need to make sure that the verb agrees with the subject in number. This means that if the subject is singular, the verb must also be singular, and if the subject is plural, the verb must also be plural. For example, in the sentence "The cat runs fast," the singular subject "cat" is paired with the singular verb "runs." In the sentence "The cats run fast," the plural subject "cats" is paired with the plural verb "run."
Subject Pronouns
In addition to nouns, we can also use pronouns as subjects in a sentence. Subject pronouns include "I," "you," "he," "she," "it," "we," and "they." For example, in the sentence "She is going to the store," the subject pronoun "she" is paired with the singular verb "is."
Subject-Object Pronouns
When we use pronouns in a sentence, it is important to use the correct form of the pronoun depending on its function in the sentence. Subject pronouns are used as the subject of a sentence, while object pronouns are used as the object of a verb or preposition. For example, in the sentence "I gave her the book," "I" is the subject pronoun and "her" is the object pronoun.
Inverted Subjects
In some cases, the subject of a sentence can come after the verb instead of before it. This is called inverted word order. Inverted word order is often used in questions, commands, and sentences that begin with negative words like "never" or "not." For example, in the sentence "Never have I seen such a beautiful sunset," the subject "I" comes after the verb "have."
Conclusion
In conclusion, the subject is a crucial part of any sentence. It tells us who or what is performing the action of the sentence and helps us understand the meaning of the sentence. By understanding the different types of subjects, subject-verb agreement, and subject pronouns, we can improve our grammar and communicate more effectively in both spoken and written English.
