To construct a perfect sentence, we need to know details about the subject and complements. Here we will learn details about subjects and complements, their definitions, types, differences, and easy ways to identify them.
A subject is the person, place, thing, or idea that performs the verb’s action or is described in the sentence. It usually comes before the verb and answers the question: “Who?” or “What?” is doing the action?
Every sentence and clause in English must have a subject.
In imperative sentences (commands), the subject is usually understood to be “you”, even if it’s not written.
Example: (You) Please sit down.
A single noun can be the subject of a sentence.
Examples:
A noun phrase includes a noun and its modifiers. It functions as a single subject.
Examples:
A pronoun can take the place of a noun as the subject.
Examples:
The pronoun “it” is used as a dummy subject in weather expressions, time, and impersonal statements.
Examples:
“There” sometimes appears at the beginning of a sentence, but the real subject comes after the verb.
Examples:
A complement completes the meaning of the verb. Like the subject, it is usually a noun or noun phrase, but it generally follows the verb in an active sentence.
Note: Not every sentence requires a complement. Also, a complement cannot begin with a preposition.
A complement answers the questions:
What? or Whom?
Rahim wrote a letter yesterday. (What did Rahim write yesterday?)
Sohana found a wallet on the street. (What did Sohana find?)
They invited Omar to the party last week. (Whom did they invite?)
We hope this lesson created a clear idea of all about subjects and complements.
