07/06/2026
Subject
A subject is the person, thing, place, idea, or clause that the sentence is about or that performs the action.
Basic Formula
Subject + Verb
Example
Ali studies English
Subject = Ali
Verb = studies
How to Find the Subject
Ask:
Who does the action
What does the action
Example
The boy plays football
Who plays football
The boy
Subject = The boy
Types of Subjects
Simple Subject
The main word of the subject
The smart student passed the exam
Simple Subject = student
Complete Subject
All words that belong to the subject
The smart student in my class passed the exam
Complete Subject = The smart student in my class
Compound Subject
Two or more subjects joined together
Ali and Ahmad are friends
Compound Subject = Ali and Ahmad
Subject Pronouns
I
You
He
She
It
We
They
Example
She works hard
Subject = She
Gerund as Subject
A gerund is a verb ending in ing that functions as a noun
Swimming is good exercise
Subject = Swimming
Reading improves vocabulary
Subject = Reading
Infinitive as Subject
An infinitive can function as a subject
To learn English takes time
Subject = To learn English
To travel is exciting
Subject = To travel
Noun Clause as Subject
A noun clause can function as a subject
What he said was true
Subject = What he said
Why she left is unknown
Subject = Why she left
Whether he comes is not important
Subject = Whether he comes
Subject in Questions
Does Ali play football
Subject = Ali
Where do they live
Subject = they
Subject in Imperative Sentences
The subject is usually understood as You
Open the door
Subject = You
Sit down
Subject = You
Subject Verb Agreement
A singular subject takes a singular verb
He plays football
A plural subject takes a plural verb
They play football
Key Point
Every complete sentence normally has a subject and a verb
The subject tells us who or what the sentence is about or who or what performs the action.