The article will make the readers realize how proper noun is used as a subject noun. We will get sound knowledge through enough examples and their detailed explanations.
Proper noun is certainly a subject noun. We call a noun subject noun when it is used as a subject in a sentence. A subject noun is the doer of the action verb of the concerned sentence. We can use a proper noun as a subject. So, a proper noun can be called a subject noun.
Though we can use proper nouns in any place of the sentence (subject, object and in the middle) they can be used as subjects also.
Ex- Sisirendu scored a magnificent goal in the match.
Explanation- Here the word ‘Sisirendu’ is a proper noun and has been used as the subject of the above sentence.
Ex- Tania has been reading English for two hours.
EExplanation- In this example ‘Tania’ is used as a subject. This proper noun is the subject of the sentence.
Can a proper noun be a subject?
A proper noun can surely be a subject in a sentence. Proper noun is the name. We can use proper nouns in any place of a sentence. We can use the proper noun in any place of a sentence. When we use a proper noun as a subject in a sentence it can fulfill all the features of a subject in the sentence. So, proper noun is a subject noun.
Ex- Kolkata has become a center of different culture.
Explanation- In this example the word ‘Kolkata’ is the example of a proper noun. Kolkata is used as a subject here..
Ex- Zishnu reads in class iv in a primary school.
Explanation- The above example shows that a proper noun ‘Zishnu’ has become the subject of the above sentence. Thus we can say that a proper noun can be subject of sentence.
Why are subjects proper nouns?
Subjects are the main parts when we construct sentences. The subjects may be proper nouns. Proper nouns can act as the doers of actions. So proper nouns are used as subjects in sentences where necessary. But all subjects in sentences are not proper nouns.
When the nouns refer to the names of person, place or animal are called proper nouns. Proper nouns can be subjects in sentence if we need to use these nouns as subjects.
Ex-Souvik did well in the final match.
Explanation- Here the word ’Souvik’ is the subject of the above sentence. This proper noun is the subject here.
Ex- Medinipur is a developing district of our state.
Explanation- In this sentence ‘Medinipur’ is the subject and it is a proper noun because it is the name of a place.
When are subjects proper nouns?
Subjects that we read in schools and colleges are common nouns. But when they are used as the names of languages they are proper nouns. They refer to the names of specific classes or courses. Then we call them proper nouns. But if it is the name of a language we must capitalize.
Ex- Math and English are his scoring subjects
Explanation- In the sentence the words ‘Math’ and ‘English’ are the names of subjects. They are used as proper nouns. They are used as subjects in the above sentence.
Ex- History can give me amusement.
Explanation- In this explanation the word ‘History’, a proper noun is used as a subject.
How are subjects related with proper nouns?
Like noun, pronoun, gerund, participle, infinitive a proper noun also has the function in a sentence. Like all others a proper noun can be a subject in a sentence. The relation between subject nouns and proper nouns are evident in English.
Ex- Akbar was one of the greatest of the Mughal Dynasty.
Explanation- In this example ‘Akbar’ is the subject of a sentence. It is a proper noun. Here the subject and proper noun is the same.
Ex- Sourav led the team very well.
Explanation- In this example ‘Sourav Ganguly’ is a proper noun and is used as the subject of the above example.
Difference between subject nouns and proper nouns:
The subject nouns are the nouns that are mainly used as a subject in a sentence. From another point of view proper nouns are the names that we use to refer to place, person, animal or things. Secondly a subject noun can take article before it but we cannot place article before the proper nouns.
1.Ex- The cow lives on grass.
Explanation– Here the subject is ‘cow’. It is a common noun. The cow is a subject noun here because it is used as a subject in this sentence. An article is also placed before it.
Ex- Bikramaditya works in a national company.
In the example ‘Bikramaditya works in a national company’ the word ‘Bikramaditya’ is a proper noun.It has been used as the subject here.
2.Ex- Honesty is always rewarded in the end.
Ex- Rohit is the captain of the cricket team.
Explanation- In the example ‘Honesty is rewarded in the end’ the subject is ‘honesty’. It is an abstract noun and no article is used before it.
But in the sentence ‘Rohit is the captain of the cricket team’ the subject is ‘Rohit’. It is a proper noun and article is not used before it. ‘Rohit’ is the subject of this sentence.
Examples of subject nouns as proper nouns:
- 1. Spanish is a language that we were learning before.
- 2. Debraz respected his teachers.
- 3. Prabir Babu presided over the meeting.
- 4. Sridhar did his M.A. from Vidyasagar University.
- 5. Rabindranath Tagore won the nobel prize in 1913.
Detailed explanations:
1. Spanish is a language that we were learning before.
Explanation- Here the word ‘Spanish’ is a proper noun and has the function of a subject in this sentence.
2. Debraz respected his teachers.
Explanation- The example has a subject i.e. Debraz. It is a proper noun. This proper noun is used as a subject here.
3.Prabir Babu presided over the meeting.
Explanation- In this above example the subject is ‘Prabir’. ‘Prabir is the name of a person and it is used as a subject in this sentence.
4.Sridhar did his M.A. from Vidyasagar University.
Explanation- Here again the word ‘Sridhar’ is the subject of this sentence. This proper noun is used as a subject of this sentence.
5.Rabindranath teaches his children at home.
Explanation- In this above example the word ‘Rabindranath’ is the subject.This proper noun is used as a subject here.
Conclusion
The article clearly shows how proper nouns are used as subject nouns. By going through the whole article the readers will get to know it very well. But it should be kept in mind that we should maintain the collocation while using proper nouns as subjects in sentences.
Hi…. I am Goutam Datta. I have completed a double M. A. in English and B. Ed. I am a creative writer. Currently, I am a part of the LambdaGeeks.