Subjects tell us who or what performs the action in a sentence. Without them, sentences aren’t really sentences; they’re fragments. Subjects are either simple subjects or complete subjects , depending on whether they do or do not include modifiers.
What Is a Complete Subject?
A complete subject is the simple subject, or the main word or words in a subject, along with any of the modifiers that might describe the subject.
To identify the complete subject in a sentence, ask yourself who or what performs the action in the sentence. When determining the complete subject, remember to include both the simple subject plus all of the words that modify it.
Complete Subject Examples
(What makes a great meal? Bean burritos make a great meal. Bean burritos is the complete subject.)
(What is much faster than his mountain bike? Joshua’s road bike is much faster than his mountain bike. Joshua’s road bike is the complete subject.)
(Who is a great basketball player? My friend, Suki, is a great basketball player. My friend, Suki, is the complete subject.)
(What can be extremely hot? Thai peppers can be extremely hot. Thai peppers is the complete subject.)
(What helps me to stay in shape? Long hikes help me to stay in shape. Long hikes is the complete subject.)
(What got a food stain on it? My favorite green sweater got a food stain on it. My favorite green sweater is the complete subject.)
(Who is performing tomorrow night? The school choir is performing tomorrow night. The school choir is the complete subject.)
(What were scattered across the floor? The baby’s toys were scattered across the floor. The baby’s toys is the complete subject.)
(What helps improve his playing? Tyrell’s guitar lesson helps improve his playing. Tyrell’s guitar lesson is the complete subject.)
(Who seemed to enjoy their meals? Our dinner guests seemed to enjoy their meals. Our dinner guests is the complete subject.)
(What were on sale at the store? My new black shoes were on sale at the store. My new black shoes is the complete subject.)
(What feels good on a hot summer day? The community swimming pool feels good on a hot summer day. The community swimming pool is the complete subject.)
Looking for a practice activity? Simple Subject and Complete Subject Worksheet
Related Topics:
Predicate
Simple Predicate
Compound Predicate
Complete Predicate
Predicate Nominative
Predicate Adjective
Simple Subject
Compound Subject
Subject Complement
All Grammar Terms