Understanding ‘subject’ and ‘expletive it’ is essential in the process of learning English. These two concepts provide a foundational framework for understanding sentence structure and ensuring accurate communication. In this article, we will examine the definitions and roles, usage, various examples, and common mistakes related to the subject and expletive it in detail.
1. Subject (SUBJECT)
The subject is an element that indicates the entity performing the action in a sentence. It is one of the basic components that make up a sentence, and knowing what or who the subject is is necessary to comprehend the meaning of the sentence.
1.1 Types of Subjects
- Noun Subject: For example, in “The cat is sleeping,” “The cat” is the subject.
- Pronoun Subject: For example, in “She is studying,” “She” is the subject.
- Gerund Subject: For example, in “Swimming is fun,” “Swimming” is the subject.
- Noun Phrase Subject: For example, in “The beautiful flowers in the garden bloom every spring,” “The beautiful flowers in the garden” is the subject.
- Subject Clause: For example, in “What you said surprised me,” “What you said” is the subject.
1.2 Role of the Subject
The subject is the entity that performs the primary action of the sentence, playing a crucial role in relation to the verb. The subject must agree with the verb, which is referred to as subject-verb agreement. For example, in “He runs” and “They run,” the verb changes according to the number of the subject.
1.3 Position of the Subject
In English sentences, the subject typically appears before the verb. However, its position can change in interrogative or negative sentences. For example:
- Interrogative: “Did she go to the party?” (the subject “she” follows the verb “did”)
- Negative: “He does not like chocolate.” (the subject “he” still appears before the verb “does”)
2. Expletive It (EXPLETIVE IT)
Expletive it is a placeholder used in English sentences when the actual subject is located elsewhere, helping to maintain the structure of the sentence. In this case, expletive it serves to support or emphasize various forms of the subject in the main clause.
2.1 Usage of Expletive It
- Weather: In “It is raining,” the subject is “raining,” but we use expletive it to begin the sentence.
- Time: In “It is 5 o’clock,” “5 o’clock” is the subject, but expletive it is used.
- Emotion Expression: In “It makes me happy,” “me happy” functions as the subject, but again expletive it appropriately structures the sentence.
- With Adjectives: In “It is important to study,” “to study” is the subject, but expletive it is used for emphasis.
2.2 Role of Expletive It
Expletive it helps maintain the natural flow of the sentence, clarifying the meaning of the subject, and facilitating understanding for readers or listeners. This kind of structure makes complex sentences or lengthy phrases more concise.
2.3 Examples of Expletive It
- “It seems that he is right.”
- “It is clear that she has done her homework.”
- “It is necessary to complete the project on time.”
3. Relationship between Subject and Expletive It
The subject and expletive it play complementary roles in understanding the structure of sentences. The subject performs the primary action, while expletive it makes the sentence more concise and natural. This understanding is essential for grasping the flexibility of English grammar.
3.1 Practical Understanding
Distinguishing between the subject and expletive it is important when using English. Correct usage of the subject is fundamental to communication, and appropriately utilizing expletive it contributes to making sentences clearer and smoother.
For example, in “It is amazing how quickly he learned English,” the subject “how quickly he learned English” can be long and complex, with expletive it simplifying the expression. In such cases, using expletive it makes the sentence more concise and helps the reader understand the content more easily.
4. Common Mistakes and Cautions
When using subjects and expletive it, learners often make several common mistakes. Identifying and avoiding these mistakes can help improve English proficiency.
4.1 Subject-Verb Agreement Errors
There are many instances where the subject and verb do not agree in number. For instance, in “The group of students are going on a trip,” the verb should be “is” instead of “are,” because “the group” is singular.
4.2 Misuse of Expletive It
Using expletive it when the real subject is clear is a common mistake. For example, “It seems that we should go” is more concise and clear as “We should go.”
4.3 Redundant Subject
Confusion can arise when an additional subject is used when one already exists. “It seems that he he has finished his work” should be corrected to “It seems that he has finished his work.”