(1) Subject:
I) the meaning of the subject:
As far as grammar is concerned, only the predicate verb has a subject, and the verb-like verbs (infinitive, participle, gerund) still have the nature of verbs, but they lose the function of verbs, so they have no subject; But from the standpoint of meaning, the action expressed by verb words should belong to something, that is, there should be a subject, not a grammatical subject, but a meaningful subject. His father wants him to go abroad for further study. )
From the perspective of grammar, "he" is the object of the transitive verb "hope"; But "who" goes abroad for further study? He (he). So in a sense, him is the subject of infinitive going abroad for further study. Spring has come and the weather is getting warmer and warmer. )
Who's here? "Spring" (spring); So spring is the subject of participle. The reason why he came is a secret. The reason why he came is a secret. ) gerund can't have a subject grammatically (because it's not a verb), but who will come? Here he comes. He should be the subject in this sense.
(Note) The subject in the gerund sense is a pronoun. When it is not used as subject or object, the possessive case should be used, so his in this sentence cannot be changed to he or he.
(contrast)
He wants to get up early tomorrow morning. )
THe subject of infinitive to get up in this sentence is he (he gets up).
B.he wants me to get up early tomorrow morning.
He wants me to get up early tomorrow morning. )
The subject of infinitive to get up in this sentence is me (I get up); Because you are the object of wants in grammar, you use the objective case.
②
A.he insisted on going there.
He insisted on going there. )
THe subject of the gerund going in this sentence is he (he went).
B.he insisted that I go there.
He insisted that I go there. )
The subject of the gerund going in this sentence is "I" (I will go); But grammatically, it is an adjective that modifies going, so I use possessive my.
II) the form of the theme
Nouns and personal pronouns are the most common subject forms, and there are many other forms. The content is as follows:
1. Noun:
(1) Money is the most important thing in life, you think. Money is the most important thing in life, you think. )
The news of his death gave me a great shock. I was very shocked by his death. )
2. Pronouns:
He sat back to back with a girl. He sat back to back with a lady. )
Do you know who wrote this book? Do you know who wrote this book? )
3.+ adjectives:
(1) The rich are not always happier than the poor. )
Rich people = rich people
Poor people = poor people
(2) Beauty is not always good. (Beauty is not necessarily good. )
Beauty = Beauty (USA)
Kindness = kindness (kindness)
4.+ participle:
(1) The dead and dying are lying on the battlefield.
The dead and dying lie on the battlefield. )
The wounded were abandoned because the enemy's gunfire made them inaccessible.
The wounded were abandoned and could not get close to them because of enemy fire. )
5. infinitive:
(1) It is advisable to compromise the appearance. It seems wise to compromise with each other. )
It's always nice to meet you. )
You are not the subject in this sentence, but the object of the infinitive.
6. Gerund:
Swimming is good for health. Swimming is good for health. )
Reading English is easier than speaking English. )
English in a sentence is not the subject, but the object of gerund reading.
7. Preposition phrases:
(1) Eight o'clock to twenty o'clock is my busiest time. I am busiest from eight to twelve o'clock. )
(2) It's about 300 kilometers from Shanghai to Nanjing. It's about 300 kilometers from Shanghai to Nanjing. )
8. Question+infinitive-equals noun phrase.
How to deal with the money is the biggest test. How to deal with the money is the biggest test. What to do with the money is the biggest problem. )
When to start has not been decided. When we will start has not been decided. )
When to start has not been decided. )
9. Noun clause:
His honesty is undeniable. His honesty is undeniable. )
It makes no difference to me whether he is rich or poor. )
The subject is the person or thing to be explained in the sentence, and it is the main body of the sentence. The position of the subject is generally at the beginning of the sentence, and it is generally not omitted. Nouns, pronouns, numerals, infinitives, gerunds and subject clauses can all act as subjects. For example:
Wall has ears.
Wall has ears. (noun as subject)
He will take you to the hospital.
He will take you to the hospital. (Pronouns as the subject)
Three plus four equals seven.
Three plus four equals seven. (Numbers are the theme)
I'll believe that when I see it.
I will believe it when I see it. (infinitive as subject)
Smoking is not allowed in public places.
Smoking is not allowed in public places. (Gerund as subject)
Whether they will come depends on the weather.
Whether they will come depends on the weather. (clause as subject)
predicate verb
Predicate verbs are sentence components that explain the action or state of the subject. The position of the predicate verb is generally after the subject. Predicate verbs are notional verbs or copulative verbs. Auxiliary verbs or modal verbs plus other verbs also constitute predicate verbs. For example:
Actions speak louder than words.
Actions speak louder than words.
This opportunity may never come again.
I'm afraid this opportunity will never come again.
Tom was very sad.
Tom is very sad.
Mary has been working in a clothing store since 1994.
Mary has been working in that clothing store since 1994.
(3) Forecast
Predicate is used to explain the identity, characteristics and state of the subject, which is located after the copula. Nouns, pronouns, adjectives and participles, numerals, infinitives, prepositional phrases, adverbs and predicative clauses can all be used as predicative words. For example:
My father is a professor.
My father is a professor. (noun as predicative)
Who's that? It's me.
who is it? It's me. (Pronouns as predicative)
Everything here is precious to her.
Everything here is good for her. (Adjective as predicative)
The game became very exciting.
The game became very tense. (participle as predicative)
My life story may be helpful to others.
My life experience may be helpful to others. (Preposition phrase as predicative)
Three times five equals fifteen.
Three times five equals fifteen. (Numbers are predicative)
His plan is to find a job in the city.
His plan is to find a job in the city. (Verb inequality as predicative)
My first thought is that you should hide your feelings.
My initial thought was that you should hide your feelings. (clause as predicative)
(4) Object
An Object represents the object of the action and is the receiver of the action. The object usually comes after the transitive verb. English prepositions are followed by objects. Nouns, numerals, pronouns and gerunds can be used as objects. Infinitives can also be used as objects of transitive verbs. For example:
She covered her face with her hands.
She covered her face with her hands. (noun phrase as object)
We haven't seen her for a long time.
We haven't seen her for a long time. (Pronouns as objects)
Would you mind opening the window?
Would you mind opening the window? (Gerund as object)
Please give me four.
Please give me four. (Number as object)
He wants to have a good dream.
He wants to have a good dream. (infinitive phrase as object)
We need to know what others are doing.
We need to know what others are doing. (clause as object)
I live in Japan, 1986.
I lived in Japan from 65438 to 0986. (Nouns and numerals as the objects of prepositions)
(5) Attribute
Attribute is a word, phrase or sentence that modifies a noun or pronoun. When a word is used as an attribute, it is usually placed before the noun it modifies; When phrases and clauses are used as attributes, they are placed after the nouns they modify. There are nouns, adjectives, numerals, participles and their phrases, inequalities and their phrases, prepositional phrases and attributive clauses as attributes. For example:
They are women workers.
They are women workers. (noun as attribute)
Tom's father didn't write home until yesterday.
Tom's father didn't write home until yesterday. (possessive nouns as attributes)
Equal pay for equal work should be implemented.
Equal pay for equal work should be implemented. (adjective as attribute)
The play has three acts.
The play has three acts. (Numbers as attributes)
This is her first trip to Europe.
This is her first trip to Europe. (Pronouns, numerals and prepositional phrases as attributes)
China is a developing country.
China is a developing country. (participle as attribute)
You didn't keep your promise to write to us often.
You didn't keep your promise to write to us often. (infinitive phrase as attribute)
My cat has a good sense of smell for milk.
My cat has a keen sense of smell for milk. (Preposition phrase as attribute)
People who want to go to Tibet should sign here.
People who want to go to Tibet must sign here. (Clause as attribute)
(6) Adverbial
Adverbials are sentence components that modify verbs, adjectives and adverbs. Adverbials indicate place, time, reason, purpose, result, condition, concession, degree, way, accompanying situation, etc. Adverbials include adverbs, nouns, prepositional phrases, participles and their phrases, infinitives and their phrases, adverbial clauses, etc. For example:
These products sell quickly.
These products are selling well now. (Adverbs as adverbials)
He was stuck in knee-deep snow.
He stepped on knee-deep snow. (noun as adverbial)
The best fish swim underwater.
Good fish live underwater. You can't get anything of value easily. (Prepositional phrases as adverbials)
She sat there doing nothing.
She sat there doing nothing. (participle phrase as adverbial)
We will send a car to pick you up.
We will send a car to pick you up. (infinitive phrase as adverbial)
She can't make up her mind.
She can't make up her mind. (infinitive phrase as adverbial)
Strike while the iron is hot.
Strike while the iron is hot. (clause as adverbial)
As far as I know, there is no such word in English.
As far as I know, there is no such word in English. (clause as adverbial)
(7) Object complement and subject complement
In some English transitive verbs, in addition to the object, the object complement should be added to make the meaning of the sentence complete. Object and object complement together form a compound object. If the above structure becomes passive voice, the original object becomes the subject, and the complement of the original object correspondingly becomes the subject complement. Nouns, adjectives, prepositional phrases, infinitives and participles can all serve as complements. For example:
They chose me as the captain.
They elected me captain. (Noun phrases as object complements)
He made me feel ashamed.
He made me feel ashamed. (Adjective phrases as object complements)
We found everything there in good order.
We found everything there in good order. (Preposition phrase as object complement)
I should advise you not to miss this opportunity.
I advise you not to miss the opportunity. (infinitive phrase as object complement)
I can feel my heart beating fast.
I can feel my heart beating fast. (participle phrase as object complement)
Some goods are unsold.
Some goods are unsold. (participle as subject complement)
She was elected director of the public relations department.
She was elected director of public relations. (Noun phrase as subject complement)
References:
Basic knowledge of English grammar