Subject / Subjects

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jack112

#227880 Mon, 22 May 06 09:22 PM

Please limit your answers to events and experiences that have taken place since January. (How do I say the subject for this sentence? Can I use anyone of the following? Look below.)

I know every sentence has one subject, so which one do I use? And could you explain the differences between the two sentences? I know they are both grammatically correct but I can't tell when to use 'is' or 'are' for this case.

1. The subject is events and experiences for this sentence.

2. The subjects are events and experiences for this sentence. (For the latter part of the sentence, it is describing the subject right? So does it make more sense to use the plural 'subjects' instead of 'subject' ?)

Thanks!!

jack112

Joined on Thu, Jul 22 2004

Regular Member (715)

Plurals

davkett

#227901 Mon, 22 May 06 11:33 PM

Actually, Jack, the subject of this sentence is the implied you, and the verb is limit, as in-- [You] please limit your answers.

If the sentence had been written, "Events and experiences have taken place since January", then you could write (and punctuate), "The subject of this sentence is 'events and experiences', and the verb is 'have taken place'". If you were speaking and not writing, you can still say "The subject is events and experiences."

davkett

Joined on Tue, Jun 7 2005

Pennsylvania, USA

Senior Member (2,788)

"The rose stays fresh in its name..." -Bernard of Morlay

Verbs

Clive

#227903 Mon, 22 May 06 11:42 PM

Hi Jack,

Yes, I agree with Davkett.

Another way of putting it is to say that the imperative form does not have a subject (except for the implicit 'you'.) Consider something simple like 'Help!' or 'Put up your hands!'

Best wishes, Clive

Clive

Joined on Thu, Oct 28 2004

Canada

Veteran Member (22,568)

El tango argentino es un pensamiento triste que se puede bailar (The tango argentino is a sad thought which can be danced) Enrique Santos Discépolo

jack112

#227961 Tue, 23 May 06 04:48 AM

2. The subjects are events and experiences for this sentence. (So don't use this one? Or it doesn't matter if I use #1 or #2? Which one would you use? Would it be #1 because every sentence has only one subject?)

Thanks

jack112

Clive

#227970 Tue, 23 May 06 05:50 AM

Hi again, Jack,

Please limit your answers to events and experiences that have taken place since January.

Do you understand that this sentence has no subject?

Best wishes, Clive

Clive

jack112

#227979 Tue, 23 May 06 06:23 AM

Clive wrote:

Hi again, Jack,

Please limit your answers to events and experiences that have taken place since January.

Do you understand that this sentence has no subject?

Best wishes, Clive

Yes I understand that sentence. Subject is implied. It is like a 'command' (eg. Give me the ball!) but I still don't understand if I should use 'subjects' or 'subject' ?

Thanks!

jack112

Clive

#227987 Tue, 23 May 06 06:49 AM

Hi again,

Why do you want to talk about 'subject or subjects' when the sentence doesn't have any subject?

Clive

davkett

#228106 Tue, 23 May 06 02:14 PM

Jack, let me further explain my post above--

If you have more than one noun in the subject of a sentence, like this, "Dogs, cats, and hamsters make good pets for children", you will say--when speaking about grammatical structure: "The subject of the sentence is 'dogs, cats, and hamsters', and the verb is 'make'. You do not say, "The subjects of the sentence are 'dogs, cats, and hamsters', and the verb is 'make'."

davkett

Verbs, Nouns

Cool Breeze

#228406 Wed, 24 May 06 10:01 AM

Clive wrote:
Hi again, Jack,

Please limit your answers to events and experiences that have taken place since January.

Do you understand that this sentence has no subject?

Best wishes, Clive

With respect, the sentence consists of two clauses, a main clause and a subordinate relative clause. That introduces the relative clause and is the subject of the clause.

Cool Breeze

Joined on Fri, Apr 7 2006

Helsinki, Finland

Senior Member (3,006)

The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco.- Mark Twain

Clauses

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