Subject in English Grammar – Definition, Uses, and Examples

Subject in English Grammar

Subject in English Grammar refers to the part of a sentence that tells who or what the sentence is about. It usually performs the action or is described in the sentence and normally comes before the verb. The subject can be a noun, pronoun, or group of words. Every complete English sentence must have a subject for correct meaning and structure.

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Subject Definition

A subject is a noun, pronoun, or group of words that tells who or what does the action in a sentence.

Subject Meaning

In simple words, the subject answers questions like:

• Who is doing something?

• What is the sentence talking about?

Example:

• Ravi plays cricket.
  (Who plays cricket? → Ravi is the subject)

• The sun rises in the east.
  (What rises? → The sun is the subject)

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What is Subject in a Sentence?

In most sentences, the subject comes before the verb.

Examples:

• She is reading a book.

• My brother lives in Delhi.

• The children are playing outside.

In each sentence, the subject tells us who is doing the action.

Subject Examples List 

Read More: Adjunct in English Grammar

Types of Subjects in English Grammar

There are different types of subjects in English. Let us understand them one by one.

1. Simple Subject

A simple subject is the main noun or pronoun without any extra words.

Examples:

• Dog is barking.

• She is happy.

• Books are useful.

Here, only the main word is the subject.

2. Complete Subject

A complete subject includes the simple subject and all the words that describe it.

Examples:

• The black dog is barking.

• My younger sister is a dancer.

• Those old books are torn.

 In “The black dog”, dog is the simple subject, while The black dog is the complete subject.

3. Compound Subject

A compound subject has two or more subjects joined by words like and, or.

Examples:

• Ram and Shyam are classmates.

• Tea and coffee are hot.

• My father and mother work hard.

Compound subjects usually take a plural verb.

4. Subject as a Pronoun

Sometimes, the subject is a pronoun.

Common Subject Pronouns:

• We

• You

• He

• She

• It

• They

Examples:

• I am tired.

• They are waiting.

• She sings well.

5. Subject as a Gerund

A gerund is a verb ending in -ing that works as a noun.

Examples:

• Swimming is good for health.

• Reading improves knowledge.

• Playing cricket is fun.

Here, the action itself is the subject.

6. Subject in Imperative Sentences

In imperative sentences (commands, requests, advice), the subject is usually hidden.

Examples:

• Close the door.
  (Subject = You – understood)

• Please sit down.
  (Subject = You)

Even if it is not written, the subject exists.

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Uses of Subject in English Grammar

Understanding the subject is important for many reasons:

1. Correct Sentence Formation

Every sentence needs a subject to be complete.

• Going to school. -  Wrong

•  I am going to school. - Right

2. Subject-Verb Agreement

The verb changes according to the subject.

• She runs fast.

• They run fast.

3. Question Formation

To ask questions, we must identify the subject.

• Who is calling you?

• What happened yesterday?

4. Voice Change (Active–Passive)

• Ravi wrote a letter. (Active)

• A letter was written by Ravi. (Passive)

Subject vs Predicate 

Sentence: Rita is singing.

• Subject → Rita

• Predicate → is singing

Subject Examples in English Grammar

• Honesty is the best policy.

• A bunch of keys is on the table.

• Everyone likes holidays.

• The man who lives next door is kind.

• What he said surprised me.

Also Read: Contractions in Grammar

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