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Subjects

A subject is one of the five major elements of clause structure. The other four are: verb, object, complement and adjunct. Subjects are essential in declarative, negative and interrogative clauses.

The subject acts as the ‘doer’ or agent of an action. Subjects are typically noun phrases (e.g. a noun or pronoun and any dependent words before or after it):

  • The teacher told the class to sit down. (determiner + noun)
  • Doesn’t he eat meat? (pronoun)
  • Spring is like a breath of fresh air after a winter indoors. (noun)
  • Callum is so good at sport. (proper noun)
  • They don’t open the shop on Sundays. (pronoun)
  • Surfing is becoming more and more popular. (-ing form as a noun)
  • Examples of the work of the four artists will be in an exhibition at the Tate Gallery from Nov 4–29. (noun + prepositional phrase)

Subject position​

In statements (declarative clauses), the subject comes before the verb:

  • [eating out means eating in a restaurant]
  • They love eating out.
  • Some people prefer to go on holiday to the same place every year.
  • The course fee doesn’t include materials.

In questions (interrogative clauses), the subject comes after the auxiliary or modal verb and before the main verb:

  • Has Shona been to the house before? (auxiliary + subject + verb + other elements)
  • Do you want a cup of tea? (auxiliary + subject + verb + other elements)

In exclamations, the subject comes after How or What and before the verb:

  • What a fantastic cook she is!
  • How easily he’d tricked her!

Dummy subjects​

The subject is an essential part of a clause. Sometimes we need to use a ‘dummy’ subject where there is no other subject to put in the subject position. We use it or there as subjects:

  • It*’s not raining, is it?*
  • It*’s strange the way the weather changes so quickly.*
  • There are lots of things to do here in the city centre.

No subject​

Spoken English:

In very informal speaking we can leave out the pronoun in declarative clauses (statements), particularly I with verbs like hope and know:

  • Hope you have a great time. (I hope you have …)
  • A: Do we have to do the second exercise as well?
  • B: Don’t think so. (I don’t think so.)
See also
  • Ellipsis

In imperative clauses (orders, instructions, requests) we don’t include the subject:

  • Close the door after you.
  • Turn left at the end of the road.
See also
  • Imperatives with subject pronouns

Subjects: typical errors​

We don’t omit the subject in declarative and interrogative clauses:

  • A: Do you know Susie?

  • B: Yes, I do. She*’s really nice*.

  • Not: Is really nice.

  • It*’s strange that we don’t see them any more.*

  • Not: Is strange that …

  • Are there two phone boxes at the end of this road?

  • Not: Are two phone boxes at the end of this road?

See also
  • Ellipsis
  • Noun phrases
  • Sentences
  • Subject–verb agreement
  • Clauses
  • Dummy subjects