In grammar, the simple subject in English plays a crucial role in sentence structure. Understanding what a simple subject is and how it functions in a sentence can significantly improve your writing. The simple subject helps define who or what is performing the action in a sentence, and it determines how the verb agrees with the subject in terms of number (singular or plural).
In this article, we’ll explore the simple subject, provide clear examples, and help you distinguish between simple and complete subjects, ultimately giving you a better grasp of sentence structure.
Definition of a Simple Subject in English
A simple subject is the main noun or pronoun in a sentence that performs the action or is described by the verb. It is stripped of any additional words that may modify or describe it. These modifying words, such as adjectives, articles, and prepositional phrases, belong to the complete subject, but not the simple subject itself.
Simple Subject: The core noun or pronoun that governs the action.
Complete Subject: Includes the simple subject and all its modifiers or descriptors.
For example, in the sentence:
The large dog chased the ball.
Simple subject: dog (this is the noun performing the action)
Complete subject: The large dog (includes both the article “The” and the adjective “large”)
Simple Subject Examples in Action
Let’s explore some simple subject examples to clearly understand its role.
Example 1: Common Noun
Sentence: The teacher spoke to the class.
Simple subject: teacher
Here, “teacher” is the noun that is performing the action (speaking).
Example 2: Proper Noun
Sentence: John ran across the street.
Simple subject: John
In this case, “John” is the proper noun acting as the subject of the sentence.
Example 3: Pronoun as a Simple Subject
Sentence: He loves to read books.
Simple subject: He
“He” is a pronoun serving as the simple subject of the sentence.
Example 4: Compound Subject
Sentence: Tom and Jerry went to the store.
Simple subject: Tom and Jerry
The simple subject is compound, consisting of two nouns connected by the conjunction “and.”
Difference Between Simple Subject and Complete Subject
To truly grasp the concept of a simple subject, it’s essential to differentiate it from the complete subject.
Simple subject: Only the main noun or pronoun (the core subject).
Complete subject: Includes the simple subject along with any descriptors or modifiers.
Example 1: Simple Subject vs. Complete Subject
Sentence: The fast and energetic dog jumped over the fence.
Simple subject: dog (the noun that is performing the action)
Complete subject: The fast and energetic dog (the whole noun phrase including modifiers like “the,” “fast,” and “energetic”)
The complete subject provides additional detail about the noun (in this case, “dog”), but the simple subject is just the noun itself, “dog.”
Example 2: Simple Subject in a Compound Subject
Sentence: Mary and her brother play basketball every weekend.
Simple subject: Mary and her brother
Complete subject: Mary and her brother
In this case, both “Mary” and “her brother” are part of the compound subject, but the core subject is Mary and her brother.
Identifying the Simple Subject in English
Identifying the simple subject can be tricky when a sentence includes many modifiers, articles, or descriptive phrases. Here are some tips to help you pinpoint the simple subject:
Eliminate all extra words: Remove articles, adjectives, and phrases that do not define the subject directly.
Look for the noun or pronoun that performs the action: Once you strip away extra words, the simple subject is the noun or pronoun that is performing or receiving the action of the verb.
Example of Identification:
Sentence: After hours of practice, the tired and sweaty athletes finished the marathon.
Step 1: Eliminate extra words: tired and sweaty and after hours of practice.
Simple subject: athletes
Simple Subject in English and Subject-Verb Agreement
The simple subject plays a crucial role in subject-verb agreement. Whether the simple subject is singular or plural directly influences the verb form used in the sentence. Understanding how this works will help you write grammatically correct sentences.
Singular Subject Example:
Sentence: The dog runs quickly.
Simple subject: dog (singular)
Verb: runs (singular verb form)
Plural Subject Example:
Sentence: The dogs run quickly.
Simple subject: dogs (plural)
Verb: run (plural verb form)
It’s important to note that while most singular subjects take singular verbs and plural subjects take plural verbs, exceptions exist, especially in cases involving collective nouns or phrases with prepositional phrases.
Common Pitfalls in Subject-Verb Agreement
Collective Nouns: A collective noun refers to a group but is often treated as a singular noun in terms of subject-verb agreement.
Example: The team is practicing for the tournament.
In this case, “team” is a collective noun, and the verb is is singular.
Prepositional Phrases: Sometimes, prepositional phrases can make the subject seem plural or singular. You must focus on the main subject of the sentence, not the object of the prepositional phrase.
Example: The stack of papers is on the desk.
The subject is stack, which is singular, even though “papers” is plural.
Types of Simple Subjects in English
The simple subject can take various forms depending on the type of noun or pronoun it is. Here are some common types of simple subjects:
Common Nouns: General names for people, places, or things (e.g., dog, teacher, car).
Proper Nouns: Specific names for people, places, or things (e.g., Tom, New York, Eiffel Tower).
Pronouns: Words that stand in for a noun (e.g., he, she, it).
Gerunds: Noun forms of verbs ending in -ing (e.g., running, reading).
Infinitives: Noun forms of verbs using “to” (e.g., to play, to swim).
Simple Subject Examples Across Different Noun Types
1. Common Noun
Sentence: The chair broke after many years of use.
Simple subject: chair
2. Proper Noun
Sentence: London is known for its landmarks.
Simple subject: London
3. Pronoun
Sentence: He made a surprise announcement.
Simple subject: He
4. Gerund
Sentence: Running is her favorite sport.
Simple subject: Running
5. Infinitive
Sentence: To swim is my dream.
Simple subject: To swim
Conclusion On Simple Subject in English
The simple subject in English is a foundational component of sentence structure, and mastering its identification and role in subject-verb agreement is crucial for clear and grammatically correct writing. By learning how to identify the simple subject, you’ll better understand how to use subjects in both simple and complex sentences.
Remember, the simple subject in English is the noun or pronoun that is at the heart of the action, while the complete subject adds detail and description. Paying attention to the agreement between the simple subject and the verb ensures your sentences are grammatically sound and effective.