SUBJECTS, OBJECTS, NOUN COMPLEMENTS, AND SUBJECT VERB

AGREEMENT

A Paper

Submitted to fulfil the assignment of intermediate structure subject

Lecturer : Prof. Dr. Mohammad muhassin, S.S., M.Hum

Created by group 1:

SAMHANA KARIMAH (2311040094)

ELDA FITRY YANI (2311040029)

IHSAN NUR ATQIA (2311040164)

ENGLISH EDUCATION DEPARTMENT

TARBIYAH AND TEACHER TRAINING FACULTY

RADEN INTAN STATE ISLAMIC UNIVERSITY OF LAMPUNG

2024
 INTRODUCTION

The study of grammar is a fundamental aspect of mastering any language, and English is no
exception. A solid understanding of grammatical structures not only enhances
communication but also enriches the clarity and effectiveness of writing. This paper aims to
explore the essential components of English grammar, focusing specifically on subject,
objects, noun complements, and subject verb-agreement. Each of these elements plays a
crucial role in sentence construction, contributing to the overall meaning and coherence of
our expressions.

The subject is the noun, pronoun, or noun phrase that performs the action in a sentence. It
typically appears at the beginning and tells us who or what the sentence is about. Objects,
which receive the action of the verb, provide necessary context and detail, allowing for a
fuller understanding of the sentence's meaning. Noun complements further elaborate on the
subject or object, offering additional information that enhances clarity and depth. Lastly,
linking verbs serve a unique function by connecting the subject to descriptive elements,
thereby enriching our understanding of the subject's identity or state.

Subject-verb agreement is a fundamental aspect of English grammar, ensuring that verbs

match their subjects in number-singular or plural. Mastery of subject-verb agreement is
especially important for English learners, affecting their writing and speaking
professionalism. This paper will define subjects and verbs, outline the essential rules of
subject-verb agreement, and identify common pitfalls learners face.

By delving into these grammatical components, this paper seeks to provide readers with a
comprehensive overview that not only clarifies their definitions and functions but also
illustrates their practical applications in everyday language use. Through this exploration, we
aim to equip learners with the tools necessary to construct grammatically correct and
meaningful sentences, ultimately fostering greater confidence and proficiency in English
communication. As we navigate through the intricacies of these grammatical elements, we
will highlight their significance in both academic and conversational contexts, underscoring
the importance of grammar in effective language use.
 DISCUSSION

A. SUBJECT

1. Definition of subject

The subject is the noun, pronoun, or noun phrase that performs the action in the
sentence. A noun is a word the subject is usually at the beginning of the sentence.
when there are one or more adverbs or additional words at the beginning of the
sentence, then the position of the subject changes. we can also see more definitions of
subject given in some dictionaries to increase our knowledge.

Subject, according to the Oxford Learner's Dictionary, is defined as “a noun, noun

phrase, or pronoun that represents the person or thing that performs the action of the
verb (I in I sat down), that states something (the house in the house is very old) or, in
the passive voice, that is affected by the action of the verb (the tree in the tree was
blown down in the storm)”. The Cambridge Dictionary defines subject as “the person
or thing that performs the action of the verb, or is joined to the description by the
verb”.

The Collins Dictionary defines subject as “a group of nouns that refer to the person or
thing that performs the action stated by the verb”, and according to the Merriam-
Webster Dictionary, subject is “a word or group of words that indicates something
that is predicated”.

2. Identifying and Using a Subject in a Sentence

As already discussed, a subject is the noun, pronoun or noun phrase that acts as the
doer of the action in the sentence. When using a subject in a sentence, there are a few
points that you have to bear in mind. Take a look at them.

a) Subjects are normally found to be the word/word group that starts off a sentence.
This is the case with assertive/declarative sentence. (e.g., “the dog barks
loudly.”)
b) Subjects seem to appear in different positions in interrogative sentences. In
interrogative sentences, the position of the subject and the verb is reversed.(e.g.,
“Is she coming to the party?.”)
 c) Imperative sentence, however, do not take a subject.(e.g., “Close the door.”
Here, the subject is you.)
d) Exclamatory sentences, when used with interjections, can be seen to have a
subject after the interjection.(e.g., “Wow! What a beautiful day itis!.”)
e) Multiple subjects, also called compound subjects can be used in a sentence.(e.g.,
“Tom and Jerry are friends.”)
f) Compound sentences and complex sentences can have different subjects
performing different actions simultaneously.(e.g., “She loves painting, and he
enjoys playing guitar.”)
g) Gerunds can also perform the role of a subject in a sentence.(e.g., “Swimming is
my favorite hobby.”)

B. OBJECT

An object is a noun or pronoun that receives the action done by the subject in a sentence.
In a basic sentence structure such as SVO, it appears after the verb. The general meaning
of an object is a non-living thing that can be touched and seen. Though it refers to the
same things, it has a different definition in grammar.

The Oxford Learner’s Dictionary defines an object as “a noun, noun phrase or

promoun that refers to a person or thing that is affected by the action of the verb (called
the direct object), or that the action is done to or for (called the indirect object)”.
According to the Cambridge Dictionary, an object is a “noun or noun phrase that is
affected by the action of a verb or that follows a preposition”.

1. Function of an object

Words that function as objects have two main functions. They function as the object
of a verb and the object of a preposition.

a) Object of a verb

When it appears after the verb and is the receiver of the particular action, it is the
object of a verb. In sentence structures such as SVO, SVIODO, ASVO, SVOC,
SVOA and ASVOA, the object functions as the object of the verb.

For example:
  I had a pizza.

 We took a bus to the airport.

 Yesterday, India won the match.

b) Object of a preposition
Just like the object of a verb is found after the verb, the object of a preposition is
found after the preposition. It is part of a prepositional phrase. Take a look at the
following examples.

 Preethi will be going to the market.

 I am meeting my friend at the park.

 Cathy made a cake for me.

2. Types of object

Objects can be classified into two main categories. They are:

a) A direct object receives the action of the verb directly and answers the
questions whom? or what? e.g. “I sent the letter yesterday.” (What did I send? The
letter. The letter is the direct object.) and “What time did you call Alex?”
(Whom did you call? Alex. Alex is the direct object.)
b) An indirect object receives the action of the verb indirectly, as its name implies.
To find the indirect object, ask the questions to/for whom? or to/for what? to the
verb. E.g. “We spoke to the teacher.” (To whom did we speak? The teacher. The
teacher is the indirect object pronoun.)

C. NOUN COMPLEMENTS

A noun complement is a grammatical element that provides specific content about the
noun it complements or provides the purpose or intention of the noun. Essentially, a noun
complement helps to specify or elaborate on the content or characteristics of the noun it is
associated with.

Noun complements are essential in completing the meaning of verbs. They work closely
with certain verbs to give a fuller picture of the action. For example, the verb “to be”
often requires more information to make sense. A sentence like “She is the president”
uses “the president” as a noun complement to clarify “she is”.

Moreover, noun complements serve to provide more information. This detail helps to
paint a clearer image of the situation or action. In the sentence “He became a doctor”, “a
doctor” is the noun complement that tells us what he became. Without noun
complements, sentences would be incomplete and often confusing. Noun
complements are special. They add more information to a noun. They often
follow transitive verbs. These verbs need an object to make sense. For example, in “She
gave Jack a book,” “a book” is the complement.

They can also follow linking verbs. Linking verbs connect the subject to more details. In
“He is a teacher,” “a teacher” gives more details about “He.” Let’s look at a simple
sentence: “Her dream of becoming an astronaut”. ‘Dream’ is the noun. ‘Of becoming an
astronaut’ is the noun complement. It tells us what kind of dream. Now, a complex
sentence: “The news that he won the race” is surprising. ‘News’ is our noun. ‘That he
won the race’ is the noun complement, giving us more details.

So, Complement is a word or group of words that completes the meaning of the subject,
verb, or object. Complement has three forms: subject complement, verb complement, and
object complement.

1. Subject Complement (SC)

Subject complements are nouns, pronouns, adjectives, or other constructions (acting

as nouns or adjectives) that follow verbs of being or linking verbs and explain or
refer to the subject of the sentence. Linking verbs can be verbs of sensation (feel,
look, smell, sound, taste) and verbs of being (act, appear, be, become, continue,
grow, prove, remain, seem, turn). Subject complement can be divided into
predicative adjective (subject is connected with adjective), and predicate nominative
(subject is connected with noun or pronoun).

a) Mr. Mamat was a great headmaster. Headmaster (predicate noun) describes the
subject “Mr. Mamat”.
b) That lady is very beautiful. Beautiful (predicate adjective) explains the subject
“lady”.
 c) These are yours.Yours (predicate pronoun) describes the subject “this”.

2. Verb Complement (VC)

Verb complements are the direct object (DO) or direct object (DO) and indirect
object (IO) of a verb. These objects can be nouns, pronouns, or other constructions
that act like nouns, such as: gerund, infinitive, and noun clause.

a) My boss paid me two thousand dollars.

b) I love swimming.
c) She wanted to go.
d) He discovered that creating a website is quite easy.

3. Object Complement (OC)

An object complement is a noun, pronoun, adjective or other construction that acts

like a noun or adjective to describe or refer to the direct object. Only transitive verbs
can have an object complement. Besides describing the object of verb, it can also
follow the object of preposition.

a) The naughty boys called Rezky madman to make him angry. Him (pronoun) is
the direct object of the verb “make” and angry (adjective) is the OC of him
b) I found the question easy. Easy (adjective) is the OC of question.
c) Nobody called him nice. Nice (adjective) is the OC of him.

D. SUBJECT VERB-AGREEMENT

Each sentence and subordinate clause tested in Section Two of the TOEFL must have a
subject and a finite verb (a verb which can show past and present tense and to which the
third person singular -s can be attached).
Subject-verb agreement is a fundamental principle of English grammar that plays a
crucial role in ensuring clarity and precision in communication. This grammatical rule
stipulates that the verb must correspond to its subject in number—singular or plural.
Mastery of subject-verb agreement is essential for both native speakers and learners of
English as a foreign language (EFL), as it affects the overall coherence and
professionalism of written and spoken language.
1. Definition
Subject-verb agreement refers to the grammatical requirement that the form of the
verb must match the subject in terms of number. For example, in the sentence "The
cat runs," "cat" is a singular subject, and "runs" is a singular verb. Conversely, in "The
cats run," "cats" is plural, necessitating the plural verb "run." This agreement is vital
for maintaining grammatical accuracy and ensuring that sentences convey their
intended meaning clearly.
Generally, the singular verb in the simple present tense will be in its base form with
the suffix -s or -es added. However, in plural verbs, the verb does not add the suffix -s
or -es, but only uses its base or dictionary form. This rule also applies to third person
subjects such as people's names, or they, we, he she and it. It does not apply to the
subjects I and you.
However, the subject of the singular tense does not add the suffix -s or -es to the
subject of I and you and follows the rules of the plural verb. Unlike in the past tense,
the singular or plural verb forms in the sentence are all in the form of two verbs.
There are actually more points that can be confusing when faced with subject verb
agreement. For example, the subject used is collective noun, plural form and
indefinite pronoun. These nouns can be singular or plural, of course, this depends on
the context of the sentence.
The importance of subject-verb agreement extends beyond mere grammatical
correctness. It enhances the readability and professionalism of writing. In academic,
business, and formal contexts, adherence to grammatical rules reflects attention to
detail and respect for the audience. Errors in subject-verb agreement can lead to
misunderstandings or misinterpretations, undermining the effectiveness of
communication.

2. Basic Rules of Subject-Verb Agreement

Understanding the basic rules governing subject-verb agreement is essential for
effective communication. Here are some key rules:

a) Singular and Plural Subjects

The most straight forward rule is that singular subjects require singular verbs,
while plural subjects require plural verbs:
  Singular: The dog barks.
 Plural: The dogs bark.

b) Collective Nouns

A collective noun is a term that describes a group or collection of individuals.

Examples of collective nouns include "team," "class," "army," and "league,"
which refer to groups of people. Collective nouns can also apply to animals and
objects, such as "a bevy of swans," "a pod of whales," or "a bloom of flowers."

Depending on the context, collective nouns can be used as singular or plural.

When a group acts together, it is treated as a singular subject, taking a singular
verb. However, when the members of the group act individually, the collective
noun is treated as plural, and a plural verb is used.

 Singular: The team wins the championship. (The team acts as a single unit.)
 Plural: The team are arguing among themselves. (Members of the team are
acting individually.)

c) Compound Subjects
When two subjects are joined by "and," they typically take a plural verb:
Example: Tom and Jerry play together.
However, if two subjects are connected by "or" or "nor," the verb agrees with the
nearest subject:
Example: Neither the manager nor the employees were present.

d) Indefinite Pronouns
Indefinite pronouns are pronouns that are unknown in number or uncertain to
describe people, places, or things. A clear subject such as person, place, or thing
is replaced with a quantifier or distributive word that begins with the wordssome,
every, any, no. But it can also be replaced with each, either, neither, and much.
 Indefinite pronouns such as "everyone," "someone," and "nobody" typically
take singular verbs:
Example: Everyone is invited to the party.
 Some indefinite pronouns like "few," "many," and "several" are plural and
require plural verbs:
Example: Many are called, but few are chosen.
 CONCLUSION

subject-verb agreement is a fundamental aspect of English grammar that plays a crucial role
in ensuring clarity and coherence in both written and spoken communication. This principle
dictates that the verb must correspond with the subject in terms of number—singular or
plural. Mastering this rule is essential for all English users, as it enhances the professionalism
and readability of their language. For instance, in sentences like "The cat runs," the singular
subject "cat" aligns with the singular verb "runs." Conversely, in "The cats run," the plural
subject "cats" requires the plural verb "run." Understanding these distinctions is vital for
conveying intended meanings without confusion.

Educators and learners alike must prioritize the mastery of subject-verb agreement. This can
be achieved through regular practice, error analysis, and contextual learning. Engaging
students with exercises that require them to identify subjects and match them with
appropriate verbs is crucial. Furthermore, using real-life scenarios or relevant texts can help
solidify their understanding of this grammatical rule. Incorporating interactive activities, such
as games and quizzes, can also make learning more engaging, encouraging students to
practice their skills in a fun environment.

Ultimately, mastering subject-verb agreement empowers individuals to construct

grammatically accurate sentences, leading to improved personal expression and enhanced
professional credibility. By focusing on this aspect of grammar, learners can build a solid
foundation for their language skills, enabling them to communicate their ideas clearly and
confidently. As they become more adept at recognizing and applying subject-verb agreement
rules, they will gain the confidence needed to navigate various communicative contexts
successfully. Therefore, it is imperative that both educators and learners commit to
reinforcing this essential grammatical rule, ensuring that clarity and coherence remain at the
forefront of effective communication in English.
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