Types of Subjects: Simple, Complete and Compound Subject

The simple subject is the main word or phrase that a sentence is focused on, while the complete subject includes the simple subject and any words that modify or describe it.

The above Image: Identifying a Simple Subject can be the first step in an analysis of a sentence. In the sentence, ‘The girl in the corner is my friend,’ the simple subject is the word ‘girl.’ The complete subject is ‘The girl in the corner,’ the phrase which modifies the simple subject the girl.

See the following Examples with underlined coloured words

Simple subject: The dog in the park is playful.
Complete subject: The dog in the park is playful.

Simple subject: Many students are attending the seminar.
Complete subject: Many students are attending the seminar.

Simple subject: The amount of rainfall is significant.
Complete subject: The amount of rainfall is significant.

Simple subject: She is our class president.
Complete subject: She is our class president.

Identifying the simple subject can help ensure subject-verb agreement.

For instance, note the following examples of subject-verb agreement:
a number of students are attending the seminar. (plural verb “are” agrees with plural subject “students”)

The number of students attending the seminar is rising. (singular verb “is” agrees with singular subject “number”)

I. Simple Subject

The key word or phrase that a sentence is about is referred to as the simple subject.

EXAMPLES:

• The dog barks loudly.
• Her favourite colour is blue.
• John with his friends is playing in the park.
• The book on the table belongs to me.

The simple subject in a sentence can be a proper noun, a common noun, or a pronoun.

EXAMPLES

• Paris is a beautiful city.
• Is she your sister?
• The movie we watched last night was amazing.
• They can handle the situation.

A simple subject may also be a phrase i.e. a combination of words.

EXAMPLES

• In the morning is when I feel most productive.
• At the end of the day is when I like to relax.

Subject Verb Agreement (Simple Subject)

Identifying the simple subject in a sentence can assist in ensuring subject-verb agreement. The verb utilized in a sentence must agree with its subject. In lengthy sentences, agreement can become confusing. Identify the simple subject and ensure that the verb used agrees with it.

EXAMPLES:

• Each of the books on the shelf belongs to me. Simple subject: Each (singular) Verb agreement: belongs
• The group of students is going on a field trip. Simple subject: group (singular) Verb agreement: is
• Several cars are parked in the driveway. Simple subject: cars (plural) Verb agreement: are
• The list of ingredients for the recipe has been prepared. Simple subject: list (singular) Verb agreement: has been
• Both the cat and the dog enjoy playing in the garden. Simple subject: cat, dog (plural) Verb agreement: enjoy
• One of the apples in the basket is rotten. Simple subject: one (singular) Verb agreement: is
• The collection of stamps was displayed at the exhibition. Simple subject: collection (singular) Verb agreement: was
• All the members of the team have signed the contract. Simple subject: members (plural) Verb agreement: have signed
• Each of the students has completed the assignment. Simple subject: Each (singular) Verb agreement: has completed
• None of the ideas presented at the meeting was/were accepted. Simple subject: None (it can be both singular or plural) Verb agreement: were

II. Complete Subject

The complete subject refers to the simple subject along with its accompanying modifiers, which encompass all the other words that appear with the simple subject.

EXAMPLES

• My dog loves to play fetch.
• The tall oak tree in the park provides shade.
• Sarah’s brother is a talented musician.
• The car I bought last week is red.
• The novel we read in class was thought-provoking.
• Is the train from Mumbai arriving on time?
• The children, who are wearing colourful costumes, are participating in the parade.
• You should take a break if you feel tired.
• During summer vacation is when we go on family trips.
• At dawn is when the birds start singing.

To identify the complete subject easily, one can eliminate the predicate from the sentence. Everything remaining, excluding the predicate, constitutes the complete subject. (The predicate commences at the verb.)

EXAMPLES

The tall oak tree provides shade.

• Complete subject: The tall oak tree provides shade. (removing predicate to get the complete subject)

My best friend, who loves adventure, travels the world.

• Complete subject: My best friend, who loves adventure, travels the world. (removing predicate to get the complete subject)

III. Compound Subject

A compound subject consists of two or more subjects that are connected by a conjunction such as “and,” and they share the same verb.

Compound Subject Examples:

• Poonam and Reena enjoy playing tennis together.
• The book and the movie provide different perspectives on the story.
• The sun, moon, and stars illuminate the night sky.
• Mary or James will be responsible for the project.

Subject-Verb Agreement (Complete Subject)

Proximity Rule: Determining whether to use a singular or plural verb with compound subjects can sometimes be challenging. When two subjects are connected by “or” or “nor,” the verb used should agree with the simple subject that is closest to it.

Compound Subject with “or” or “nor”:

• Either the cats or the dog is responsible for knocking over the vase.
• Neither the teacher nor the students want to take a test on Friday.

Compound Subject with “or” or “nor” (reversed order):

• Either the dog or the cats are responsible for knocking over the vase.
• Neither the students nor the teacher wants to take a test on Friday.

Practice Exercises

I. Fill-in-the-blanks by identifying the correct verb from of the words in brackets for sentences with multiple subjects:

1. The dog, along with its puppies, ___________ around the backyard. (run)
2. My sister, as well as her friends, ___________ to attend the concert. (plan)
3. The team captain, together with the coach, ___________ a strategy for the upcoming game. (devise)
4. The book, along with several articles, ___________ valuable insights into the topic. (provide)
5. The storm, accompanied by heavy rain and strong winds, ___________ havoc in the city. (wreak)

Answers:

1. runs
2. plans
3. devises
4. provides
5. wreaks

II. Fill-in-the-blanks by identifying the correct verb from of the words in brackets for sentences with multiple subjects:

1. The dog, along with its puppies, _______ in the backyard. (play)
2. My sister, as well as her friends, _______ want to go to the party. (want)
3. The book, along with several magazines, _______ on the shelf. (sit)
4. The teacher, together with his students, _______ gone to the field trip. (to have)
5. The manager, along with the employees, _______ the new project. (to be)
6. The group of musicians, including the lead singer, _______ performing at the concert then. (to be)
7. The parents, as well as their children, _______ planning for a vacation. (to be)
8. The professor, with her assistants, _______ delivering an interesting lecture. (to be)
9. The committee, along with its members, _______ made an important decision. (to have)
10. The package, along with some letters, _______ at the post office. (to have)

Answers:

1. plays
2. want
3. sits
4. has
5. is
6. was
7. are
8. is
9. has
10. has