Subject & Object in English Grammar with Explanations

In the realm of English grammar, understanding the roles of the subject and the object is crucial. These elements are the backbone of sentence structure, determining who is performing an action and who or what is receiving it. This guide delves into these fundamental concepts, providing clear definitions, comprehensive explanations, and numerous examples to ensure a thorough understanding for both students and teachers.

What is the Subject?

The subject of a sentence is the person, place, thing, or idea that is doing or being something. It is often the noun or pronoun that appears at the beginning of the sentence and performs the verb’s action.

Types of Subjects

Simple Subject

A simple subject is the main word or word group that tells whom or what the sentence is about.

• John runs.
• Dogs bark.
• She sings.
• Mountains stand tall.

Complete Subject

The complete subject consists of the simple subject and any words related to it.

• The quick brown fox jumps.
• My friend Sarah is coming.
• The tall, dark stranger walked in.
• Her little sister cried loudly.

Compound Subject

A compound subject consists of two or more simple subjects that share the same verb.

• Sarah and Tom are playing.
• The cat and the dog fought.
• My brother and I went fishing.
• The teacher and the students discussed.

Identifying the Subject

To identify the subject in a sentence, find the verb and ask “who” or “what” is performing the action.

Examples of Subjects

• John runs every morning.
• The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.
• Sarah and Tom are going to the market.

What is the Object?

The object of a sentence is the noun, pronoun, or noun phrase that receives the action of the verb. It answers the questions “whom” or “what” after the verb.

Types of Objects

Direct Object

A direct object directly receives the action of the verb.

• She reads books.
• He kicked the ball.
• They built a house.
• The dog chased the cat.

Indirect Object

An indirect object indirectly receives the action of the verb and is typically found between the verb and the direct object.

• She gave him a gift.
• They sent us a letter.
• He told her a story.
• The teacher handed the students their tests.

See More “Explanation of Person”

Identifying the Object

To identify the object in a sentence, find the verb and ask “whom” or “what” is receiving the action.

Examples of Objects

• John runs every morning.
• The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.
• Sarah and Tom are giving flowers to their mother.

Subject and Predicate

A sentence is generally divided into two main parts: the subject and the predicate. The subject tells who or what the sentence is about, while the predicate tells something about the subject, usually containing the verb and the object.

Relationship Between Subject & Object

The subject performs the action of the verb, and the object receives the action. Understanding this relationship is key to constructing clear and grammatically correct sentences.

Compound Subject & Object

A sentence can have more than one subject or object. These are known as compound subjects and objects.

Compound Subject Examples

• My brother and I went to the movie.
• The teacher and the students discussed the book.
• John, Sarah, and Mike are friends.
• The cat and the dog slept on the couch.

Compound Object Examples

• She bought apples and oranges.
• They visited the museum and the park.
• He fixed the car and the bike.
• She loves music and dance.

Complex Sentences with Multiple Subject & Object

Complex sentences can have multiple subjects and objects, making them richer and more informative.

Examples of Complex Sentences

• The teacher gave the students homework and a lecture.
• John and Mary are reading books and writing essays.
• The manager offered the team bonuses and extra vacation days.
• The artist painted the walls and the ceiling.

Common Mistakes in Identifying Subject & Object

Identifying subjects and objects can be tricky, and mistakes are common. Here are some examples illustrating typical errors and clarifying the correct identification:

Misidentifying Subjects

• Incorrect: The dog and the cat plays in the yard.
  • Mistake: “The dog and the cat” is a compound subject, but the verb “plays” does not agree in number.
  • Correct: The dog and the cat play in the yard.
  • Explanation: The compound subject “the dog and the cat” should be paired with the plural verb “play.”
• Incorrect: Every one of the students are attending the lecture.
  • Mistake: “Every one” is the subject, which is singular, but the verb “are” is plural.
  • Correct: Every one of the students is attending the lecture.
  • Explanation: “Every one” is singular and should be followed by the singular verb “is.”

Misidentifying Objects

• Incorrect: She gave to him the book.
  • Mistake: The placement of the indirect object “him” is incorrect.
  • Correct: She gave him the book.
  • Explanation: The correct structure places the indirect object “him” immediately after the verb “gave.”
• Incorrect: They considered the plan carefully.
  • Mistake: The verb “considered” can have a direct object, making “the plan” an object, but it should be clarified in context.
  • Correct: They considered carefully the plan’s implications.
  • Explanation: Adding specificity helps clarify “the plan” as the object being considered.

Confusion with Prepositional Phrases

• Incorrect: The book on the table belong to me.
  • Mistake: Misidentifying “the table” as the subject instead of the prepositional object.
  • Correct: The book on the table belongs to me.
  • Explanation: The subject is “The book,” and “on the table” is a prepositional phrase modifying the subject.
• Incorrect: The answers to the questions was difficult.
  • Mistake: Misidentifying “questions” as the subject instead of part of a prepositional phrase.
  • Correct: The answers to the questions were difficult.
  • Explanation: The subject is “The answers,” and “to the questions” is a prepositional phrase modifying the subject.

Objects in Passive Voice

• Incorrect: The ball was kicked by she.
  • Mistake: Using the subject form “she” instead of the object form “her.”
  • Correct: The ball was kicked by her.
  • Explanation: In passive constructions, use the object form “her.”
• Incorrect: A gift was sent to they.
  • Mistake: Using the subject form “they” instead of the object form “them.”
  • Correct: A gift was sent to them.
  • Explanation: The object form “them” is correct in this passive construction.

Objects with Modifiers

• Incorrect: I saw he yesterday.
  • Mistake: Using the subject form “he” instead of the object form “him.”
  • Correct: I saw him yesterday.
  • Explanation: “Him” is the correct object form of “he.”
• Incorrect: The teacher praised we students.
  • Mistake: Using the subject form “we” instead of the object form “us.”
  • Correct: The teacher praised us students.
  • Explanation: “Us” is the correct object form of “we.”

Teaching Strategies for Subject & Object

For teachers, explaining subjects and objects through visual aids, sentence diagrams, and interactive activities can enhance students’ understanding. Encouraging students to practice identifying subjects and objects in sentences can solidify their grasp of these concepts.

FAQs of Subject & Object

What is the difference between subject & object?

The subject performs the action in a sentence, while the object receives the action.

Can a sentence have more than one subject?

Yes, a sentence can have a compound subject, which includes two or more subjects sharing the same verb.

What is a direct object?

A direct object directly receives the action of the verb and answers “whom” or “what.”

What is an indirect object?

An indirect object indirectly receives the action of the verb and usually appears between the verb and the direct object.

How can I identify the subject in a sentence?

To identify the subject, find the verb and ask “who” or “what” is performing the action.

How can teachers help students understand subjects & objects?

Teachers can use visual aids, sentence diagrams, and interactive activities to help students understand and identify subjects and objects.