In linguistic analysis, the syntactic subject of a sentence occupies a consistent grammatical position but varies widely in its semantic role (also known as thematic role). Whereas the grammatical subject can correspond to the agent of an action, we will see how that is often not the case.
The subject’s semantic function depends on the verb type and the structure of the sentence. Understanding these varied roles illuminates the deeper relationship between syntax and meaning.
Agent: The Initiator of an Action
When the subject is the agent, it initiates or carries out an action, typically with intentionality or control. This is common in sentences with transitive or intransitive verbs of action. The agent performs an activity that may or may not affect another entity.
Examples of the subject as the agent
In these examples, the subjects (John, Sarah, the children) are performing actions that they control.
- John cooks dinner every night.
- Sarah runs every morning.
- The children built a sandcastle.
Experiencer: The Sentient Receiver of a Psychological State
In some sentences, the subject does not perform an action but instead experiences a psychological or perceptual state. The subject here is the experiencer, typically paired with verbs of perception, emotion, or cognition.
Examples of the subject as the experiencer
In these examples, the subjects (Maria, they, he) are not performing actions but rather experiencing emotions or perceptions. The verb indicates a psychological or sensory relationship rather than an action performed by the subject.
- Maria feels anxious before presentations.
- They heard a strange noise last night.
- He remembers his childhood vividly.
Theme: The Entity That Is Moved, Changed, or Described
The subject may function as a theme, representing an entity that undergoes movement, change of state, or simply exists in a particular state or location. Themes are common with intransitive verbs, passive constructions, and copular verbs.
Examples of the subject as theme
In these examples, the subjects (the book, the window, the vase) are not performing actions but rather are the entities that are affected by undisclosed actions or described in a state.
- The window shattered during the storm.
- The book fell off the shelf.
- The balloon popped.
- The vase broke unexpectedly.
Patient: The Entity Affected by an Action
Closely related to the theme, the patient is the entity that directly undergoes the effects of an action. Patients are typically direct objects in active transitive clauses though they can become subjects in passive constructions.
Examples of the subject as patient
In these examples, the subjects (the vase, the letter, the food) are not performing actions but rather are the entities that are affected by actions performed by agents. The passive voice emphasizes the action’s effect on the patient rather than who performed it.
- The vase was broken by the cat.
- The letter was written by her yesterday.
- The food was eaten quickly.
Subject as a State Descriptor: Linking with Copular Verbs
With copular verbs like be, seem, become, or look, the subject often serves as a theme or topic of description rather than as an agent or experiencer. The verb merely links the subject to a property or state expressed in the complement.
Examples of the subject as a state descriptor
In these examples, the subjects (John, the sky, she) are not performing actions but rather are described in a state or condition. They simply exist in a particular state or condition. The copular verb (also known as the linking verb) links the subject to its state or property without indicating an action.
- John is tired.
- The sky looks gray today.
- She became a professor in 2023.
The Vase Broke, but Who Broke it?
Understanding the roles of the subject is important for linguists, language learners, and anyone interested in the intricate relationship between syntax and semantics. Whereas the grammatical subject maintains a consistent syntactic position, its semantic role is highly variable.
Identifying whether the subject functions as agent, experiencer, theme, patient, or state descriptor provides insight into how linguistic structures encode meaning. (It should be noted that linguists may include other categories of subjects depending on their approach.) Such analysis is essential in fields like syntax, semantics, and language acquisition, where form and function vary to create nuanced meaning.
For the English-language learner (ELL), the thematic roles of the subject may or may not translate neatly from their native languages into English. ELLs must gradually learn how subjects work in English. As ELLs get more and more deeply acquainted with the language, they can decide on the best way to use subjects and verbs to express themselves. For example, despite ethical considerations, they can decide whether to “hide” the agent of an action (e.g., “The computer fell and broke”) or to reveal it (”I dropped and broke the laptop”).