Examples Of A Complete Subject

Understanding Complete Subjects: A Deep Dive with Examples

Identifying the complete subject in a sentence is a fundamental skill in grammar. A complete subject encompasses not only the main noun or pronoun (the simple subject) but also all the words that modify or describe it. Mastering this concept enhances your understanding of sentence structure and improves your writing clarity. This article will thoroughly explore complete subjects, providing numerous examples to solidify your understanding. We'll delve into various sentence structures, explore different types of modifiers, and address common misconceptions. By the end, you'll confidently identify complete subjects in any sentence you encounter.

What is a Complete Subject?

Before we dive into examples, let's define the term. A complete subject consists of the simple subject (the main noun or pronoun performing the action or being described) and all its modifiers. These modifiers provide additional information about the simple subject, enriching its meaning and context. Think of it as the complete picture, not just the main character.

The simple subject answers the question "who?" or "what?" in a sentence. The complete subject, however, provides a much fuller description, enhancing our understanding of the main noun or pronoun.

Examples of Complete Subjects: A Gradual Approach

Let's start with simple examples and then progress to more complex sentence structures.

1. Simple Sentences:

• The playful kitten chased the red ball.

  • Simple Subject: kitten
  • Complete Subject: The playful kitten

• My old bicycle needs repair.

  • Simple Subject: bicycle
  • Complete Subject: My old bicycle

• That tall building overlooks the city.

  • Simple Subject: building
  • Complete Subject: That tall building

These examples showcase the basic structure. The complete subject includes the simple subject and any descriptive words directly attached to it.

2. Sentences with Multiple Modifiers:

As sentences become more complex, so do the complete subjects. Let's examine sentences with multiple modifiers:

• The incredibly fast, sleek sports car zoomed down the highway.

  • Simple Subject: car
  • Complete Subject: The incredibly fast, sleek sports car (Note the multiple adjectives modifying "car")

• My energetic, playful golden retriever puppy jumped excitedly on the couch.

  • Simple Subject: puppy
  • Complete Subject: My energetic, playful golden retriever puppy (Here we have possessive pronoun, adjectives, and a noun modifying the simple subject)

• The small, brightly colored, hand-painted wooden box contained a valuable treasure.

  • Simple Subject: box
  • Complete Subject: The small, brightly colored, hand-painted wooden box (Observe the accumulation of adjectives describing the box)

3. Sentences with Phrases as Modifiers:

Complete subjects can also include prepositional phrases and participial phrases that modify the simple subject:

• The house on the hill is for sale.

  • Simple Subject: house
  • Complete Subject: The house on the hill (The prepositional phrase "on the hill" modifies "house")

• The woman wearing the red hat smiled warmly.

  • Simple Subject: woman
  • Complete Subject: The woman wearing the red hat (The participial phrase "wearing the red hat" modifies "woman")

• The students studying diligently for the exam achieved high scores.

  • Simple Subject: students
  • Complete Subject: The students studying diligently for the exam (The participial phrase "studying diligently for the exam" modifies "students")

4. Sentences with Clauses as Modifiers:

The complexity increases further when clauses function as modifiers within the complete subject:

• The book that I borrowed from the library is overdue.

  • Simple Subject: book
  • Complete Subject: The book that I borrowed from the library (The relative clause "that I borrowed from the library" modifies "book")

• The artist who painted the famous mural is renowned worldwide.

  • Simple Subject: artist
  • Complete Subject: The artist who painted the famous mural (The relative clause "who painted the famous mural" modifies "artist")

• The children who were playing in the park laughed joyfully.

  • Simple Subject: children
  • Complete Subject: The children who were playing in the park (The relative clause "who were playing in the park" modifies "children")

5. Compound Subjects:

When a sentence has a compound subject (two or more simple subjects joined by a conjunction), the complete subject encompasses all the simple subjects and their modifiers:

• My brother and my sister are going to the movies.

  • Simple Subject: brother and sister
  • Complete Subject: My brother and my sister

• The tall oak tree and the small flowering bush provide shade in the garden.

  • Simple Subject: tree and bush
  • Complete Subject: The tall oak tree and the small flowering bush

• The energetic students and the enthusiastic teacher collaborated on a fascinating project.

  • Simple Subject: students and teacher
  • Complete Subject: The energetic students and the enthusiastic teacher

Identifying Complete Subjects: A Step-by-Step Guide

To accurately identify the complete subject, follow these steps:

1. Find the verb: Locate the action word or state-of-being verb in the sentence.
2. Identify the simple subject: Ask "who?" or "what?" before the verb to find the simple subject.
3. Locate all modifiers: Identify all words, phrases, or clauses that describe or modify the simple subject. This includes adjectives, adverbs, prepositional phrases, participial phrases, and relative clauses.
4. Combine the simple subject and all its modifiers: The combination of the simple subject and its modifiers forms the complete subject.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Confusing the complete subject with the complete predicate: Remember that the complete predicate includes the verb and all the words that describe the action or state of being. The complete subject is entirely separate.
• Overlooking modifiers: Carefully examine the sentence for all words, phrases, and clauses that modify the simple subject. Don't miss any descriptive elements.
• Incorrectly identifying the simple subject: Make sure you've correctly identified the main noun or pronoun performing the action before expanding to the complete subject.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Can a complete subject contain only the simple subject?

A1: Yes, in the simplest sentences, the complete subject might consist solely of the simple subject. However, most sentences will have modifiers, making the complete subject more expansive.

Q2: What if the sentence has an appositive? Is the appositive part of the complete subject?

A2: Yes, an appositive, which is a noun or noun phrase that renames or explains another noun, is considered part of the complete subject. For example, in the sentence "My dog, a golden retriever, loves to play fetch," the complete subject is "My dog, a golden retriever."

Q3: How do I handle sentences with inverted word order?

A3: In sentences with inverted word order (e.g., "There is a book on the table"), the complete subject follows the verb. The complete subject in this example is "a book on the table".

Q4: What about sentences with compound verbs? Does that affect the complete subject?

A4: No, compound verbs (two or more verbs joined by a conjunction) don't alter the complete subject. The complete subject remains the same; only the verb part changes.

Conclusion

Understanding complete subjects is crucial for mastering sentence structure and writing effectively. By systematically identifying the simple subject and its associated modifiers, you can accurately pinpoint the complete subject in any sentence, regardless of its complexity. The examples provided in this article offer a comprehensive overview, from simple sentences to those incorporating various types of modifiers. Remember to practice regularly to solidify your grasp of this grammatical concept. Through consistent effort, you'll confidently navigate the intricacies of complete subjects and elevate your writing skills.