In English grammar, a sentence needs a subject and a predicate to be a complete sentence. In a complete sentence, the subject tells us who or what the sentence is about, and the predicate tells us what the subject does or is.
In this article, you will learn what a simple subject is, how it differs from a complete subject, and the steps to identify it in any sentence.Â
A simple subject is the main noun or pronoun in a sentence without any modifiers or extra details. In other words, the simple subject is the word that tells who or what is doing the action.
Example
- The big black dog barks at strangers.
Here, in this example sentence:
- Simple subject = dog
- Predicate = barks at strangers.
Simple Subject vs. Complete Subject
The difference between a simple subject and a complete subject is:
- Simple subject: Only the main noun or pronoun
- Complete subject: The simple subject + all its modifiers
Example:
- The talented young artist painted a masterpiece.Â
In this example sentence:
- Simple subject: Artist
- Complete subject: The talented young girl
Compound Sentences
Some types of sentence structures can have more than one simple subject. Compound sentences (and compound-complex sentences) connect two or more subjects using a coordinating conjunction like and.
- My father and I prefer to watch other people play catch.
Imperative Sentences
Keep in mind that with imperative sentences, or commands, the subject is usually implied, not written out.
- [You] Turn left to get to Main Street.
Simple Subject vs. Complete Subject
What’s the difference between a simple subject and a complete subject? While the simple subject only includes a single noun, the complete subject includes both the simple subject and all the words and phrases that describe it.Â
- The red candies that taste like strawberries at the end of the shelf are my favorite.
In the example, the complete subject is the long noun phrase the red candies that taste like strawberries at the end of the shelf. However, only the word candies is the simple subject.
Simple Subjects in Subject-Verb Agreement
The most important part about the simple subject in grammar is its role in subject-verb agreement. Whether a simple subject is singular or plural determines whether the verb should be singular or plural. Singular subjects take singular verbs, and plural subjects take plural verbs.
- One dog digs in dirt.
- Many dogs dig in dirt.
Complete Subject
Knowing whether to make a verb singular or plural gets confusing when the complete subject uses a lot of extra words.
- A team of retired, Canadian athletes is in first place.
Prepositional Phrase
Be careful, thought. Some words like all or half can be either singular or plural, depending on context. You can tell for sure by checking the prepositonal phrase that follows those words. if the prepositional phrase uses a singular noun, treat the whole subject as singular. if it uses a plural noun, treat it as plural.
- Half of people are under 30 years old worldwide.
- Half of a person is made of water.
Noun Phrase
Similarly, sometimes an entire noun pharse works together as the simple subject of a sentence. We do this when we’re talking about a concept as a whole, instead of its specific parts.
- Millions of dollars is all I’ve ever wanted.
How to Identify a Simple Subject in a Sentence
To find the simple subject in a sentence, first look for the verb and then ask: Who or what is doing this action?
Example:
- The tall man with a hat is walking.
In this sentence:
- Verb = is walking
- Simple subject = man
In Short Sentences
- The dog barks.
- She sings.
In Complex and Compound Sentences
- The book that I borrowed from the library is interesting.
- Both my mother and father work as doctors.
In Questions and Negative Sentences
- Where does the teacher live?
- The cat does not like water.
Examples of the Simple Subject in Grammar
Here are the examples of simple subjects in sentences:
- Cats sleep a lot.
- Sara loves music.
- Education opens doors to success.
- Technology shapes the future.Â
In these examples, Cats, Sara, Education, and Technology are examples of simple subjects.
Conclusion
A simple subject is the main noun or pronoun in a sentence that tells us who or what the sentence is about. It does not include modifiers, and it can be a noun, a pronoun, a gerund, or an infinitive.
Knowing the difference between a simple subject and a complete subject also makes subject-verb agreement much easier. When you can spot the simple subject quickly, you will always know whether to use a singular or plural verb.
FAQs About Simple Subject
What is a simple subject in grammar?
A simple subject is the main noun or pronoun in a sentence that tells who or what the sentence is about, without any modifiers. For example:
- The red car is fast.Â
Here, the “car” is the simple subject.
How is a simple subject different from a complete subject?
A simple subject is only the main noun or pronoun in the sentence. However, a complete subject includes the noun and all its modifiers. For example:
- The smart student in the front row answered.
Simple subject = student
Complete = the smart student in the front row
Why is the simple subject important in English grammar?
The simple subject helps you identify the focus of the sentence and ensures correct subject-verb agreement. Without it, a sentence would not be complete.
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