Subject vs Agent: When To Use Each One? What To Consider

Are you confused about when to use “subject” and when to use “agent” in your writing? You’re not alone. Many writers struggle with understanding the difference between these two words. In this article, we’ll explore the nuances of subject vs agent and provide clarity on which word is appropriate in different contexts.

Let’s define these two words. Subject refers to the person or thing that performs the action in a sentence. Agent, on the other hand, refers to the person or thing that is responsible for the action but may not necessarily perform it. For example, in the sentence “The cat knocked over the vase,” the subject is “cat” because it is performing the action of knocking over the vase. The agent, however, could be the owner of the cat who left the vase in a precarious position.

So, which word should you use in your writing? The answer is that it depends on the context. In some cases, subject and agent can be used interchangeably. In other cases, one word may be more appropriate than the other. Throughout the rest of this article, we’ll explore different scenarios where subject and agent come into play and provide guidance on which word to use.

Define Subject

A subject is the noun or pronoun that performs the action in a sentence. It can also be the noun or pronoun that is being described or discussed in the sentence. In simpler terms, the subject is the main focus of the sentence.

For example, in the sentence “The cat chased the mouse,” the subject is “the cat” because it is the noun that is performing the action of chasing the mouse. In the sentence “John is a doctor,” the subject is “John” because he is the person being described in the sentence.

Define Agent

An agent is the noun or pronoun that is responsible for the action in a sentence. It is the entity that carries out the action or causes the action to happen. In other words, the agent is the “doer” of the sentence.

For example, in the sentence “The window was broken by the baseball,” the agent is “the baseball” because it is the object that caused the window to break. In the sentence “The cake was baked by my mother,” the agent is “my mother” because she is the one who performed the action of baking the cake.

How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence

Using the proper words in a sentence is crucial for effective communication. The words “subject” and “agent” are often used interchangeably, but they have distinct meanings. In this section, we’ll explore how to use these words correctly in a sentence.

How To Use Subject In A Sentence

The subject of a sentence is the person or thing that performs the action of the verb. It is typically a noun or pronoun and appears at the beginning of the sentence. Here are some tips for using the subject correctly:

• Make sure the subject agrees with the verb in number and person. For example, “The dog barks” (singular subject) versus “The dogs bark” (plural subject).
• Be clear and concise with your subject. Avoid using vague pronouns like “it” or “they” as the subject of a sentence.
• Use the subject to create a clear and logical sentence structure. For example, “John ate the pizza” is clearer than “The pizza was eaten by John.”

How To Use Agent In A Sentence

The agent of a sentence is the person or thing that performs the action of the verb, but with an emphasis on the agency or cause of the action. It is typically introduced by the preposition “by” and appears after the verb. Here are some tips for using the agent correctly:

• Use the agent to give emphasis to the cause of the action. For example, “The vase was broken by the cat” emphasizes that the cat caused the vase to break.
• Be careful not to confuse the agent with the subject. The subject is the main focus of the sentence, while the agent provides additional information. For example, “The cat broke the vase” (subject) versus “The vase was broken by the cat” (agent).
• Use the agent sparingly. It is not always necessary to include the agent in a sentence, especially if the subject is already clear.

More Examples Of Subject & Agent Used In Sentences

In order to fully understand the difference between subject and agent, it is important to examine more examples of how they are used in sentences. Below are examples of using subject and agent in a sentence:

Examples Of Using Subject In A Sentence

• The cat chased the mouse.
• The rain fell all night.
• The students studied for their exams.
• The car broke down on the highway.
• The flowers bloomed in the spring.
• The baby cried for hours.
• The chef cooked a delicious meal.
• The dog barked at the mailman.
• The computer crashed during the presentation.
• The tree fell during the storm.

Examples Of Using Agent In A Sentence

• The mouse was chased by the cat.
• The rain was fallen all night.
• The exams were studied for by the students.
• The car was broken down on the highway.
• The spring was when the flowers bloomed.
• The baby was cried for hours by the parents.
• The delicious meal was cooked by the chef.
• The mailman was barked at by the dog.
• The presentation was crashed during by the computer.
• The storm was when the tree fell.

As you can see from the examples above, subject and agent can be used interchangeably in a sentence, but the focus of the sentence changes depending on which is used. The subject is the doer of the action, while the agent is the receiver of the action.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

When it comes to using subject and agent in writing, there are a few common mistakes that people often make. These mistakes can lead to confusion and misinterpretation of the intended meaning. In this section, we will discuss these mistakes and offer tips on how to avoid them in the future.

Interchanging Subject And Agent

One of the most common mistakes people make when using subject and agent is interchanging the two terms. While they may seem similar, subject and agent have distinct meanings that should not be used interchangeably.

The subject is the person or thing that performs the action of the verb, while the agent is the person or thing that carries out the action on behalf of the subject. For example, in the sentence “The cat chased the mouse,” the subject is “the cat,” and the agent is “chased.”

Interchanging subject and agent can lead to confusion and ambiguity in your writing. For example, in the sentence “The mouse was chased by the cat,” the subject and agent have been interchanged, which can make it difficult for the reader to understand who is performing the action.

Using Passive Voice

Another common mistake people make when using subject and agent is using passive voice. Passive voice occurs when the subject of the sentence is acted upon, rather than performing the action. This can lead to ambiguity and make it difficult for the reader to understand who is performing the action.

For example, in the sentence “The ball was thrown by John,” the subject is “the ball,” and the agent is “John.” However, the sentence is written in passive voice, which can make it difficult for the reader to understand who is performing the action.

Tips For Avoiding Mistakes

• Be clear about who is performing the action in your writing.
• Avoid using passive voice whenever possible.
• Use subject and agent correctly and do not interchange them.

By following these tips, you can avoid common mistakes when using subject and agent in your writing. This will help to ensure that your writing is clear, concise, and easy to understand.

Context Matters

When it comes to choosing between subject and agent, context is a crucial factor that must be taken into consideration. The decision of whether to use subject or agent can vary depending on the context in which they are used. In this section, we will delve into the importance of context and provide examples of different contexts and how the choice between subject and agent might change.

Examples Of Different Contexts

Let us take a look at some examples of different contexts and how the choice between subject and agent might change:

• Scientific writing: In scientific writing, the agent is often preferred over the subject. This is because the agent is seen as the primary cause of the action, and it is important to emphasize this in scientific writing. For example, “The experiment was conducted by the researchers” is preferred over “The researchers conducted the experiment.”
• Legal writing: In legal writing, the subject is often preferred over the agent. This is because the subject is seen as more neutral and objective. For example, “The defendant was found guilty” is preferred over “The jury found the defendant guilty.”
• Marketing writing: In marketing writing, the subject is often preferred over the agent. This is because the subject is seen as more personal and relatable. For example, “Our company provides excellent customer service” is preferred over “Excellent customer service is provided by our company.”

As you can see, the choice between subject and agent can vary depending on the context in which they are used. It is important to consider the tone, style, and purpose of the writing when making this decision.

Exceptions To The Rules

While subject and agent are generally used in specific ways, there are exceptions to the rules that must be identified and understood. Here are some cases where the rules for using subject and agent might not apply:

1. Passive Voice

In passive voice, the subject of the sentence is the recipient of the action, rather than the performer of the action. In this case, the agent is introduced using the preposition “by”. For example:

Active Voice	Passive Voice
The cat chased the mouse.	The mouse was chased by the cat.

Here, “cat” is the subject in active voice, but in passive voice, “mouse” becomes the subject, and “cat” is introduced with “by”.

2. Infinitive Phrases

Infinitive phrases are formed with the word “to” followed by a verb. In this case, the subject is often omitted, and the agent is introduced with “for”. For example:

• To bake a cake, you need flour, sugar, and eggs.
• She gave him a recipe to follow for making the cake.

Here, “you” is the implied subject of the first sentence, and “she” is the agent introduced with “for” in the second sentence.

3. Impersonal Constructions

Impersonal constructions are sentences that do not have a specific subject. In this case, the verb is often used in the third person singular form, and the agent is introduced with “by” or “with”. For example:

• It is said that the world will end in fire.
• The package was delivered by the postman.
• The painting was created with a brush and canvas.

In the first sentence, there is no specific subject, and “it” is used as a placeholder. In the second sentence, “postman” is the agent introduced with “by”. In the third sentence, “brush and canvas” are the instruments used to create the painting, and are introduced with “with”.

Practice Exercises

Now that you have a better understanding of the differences between subject and agent, it’s time to put your knowledge into practice. Below are some exercises that will help you improve your understanding and use of subject and agent in sentences.

Exercise 1: Identifying The Subject And Agent

For each sentence below, identify the subject and agent:

Sentence	Subject	Agent
The dog chased the cat.	dog	cat
The book was written by J.K. Rowling.	book	J.K. Rowling
John ate a sandwich for lunch.	John	None (implied)

Answer Key:

• The dog = subject, the cat = agent
• The book = subject, J.K. Rowling = agent
• John = subject, none (implied) = agent

Exercise 2: Writing Sentences With Subject And Agent

Write a sentence for each of the following prompts, using both a subject and an agent:

• Prompt 1: The car was repaired.
• Prompt 2: The cake was baked.
• Prompt 3: The letter was delivered.

Answer Key:

• Prompt 1: The mechanic repaired the car.
• Prompt 2: The baker baked the cake.
• Prompt 3: The mail carrier delivered the letter.

By completing these practice exercises, you can improve your understanding and use of subject and agent in your writing. Keep practicing and you’ll soon be able to use these concepts with ease!

Conclusion

In conclusion, understanding the difference between subject and agent is crucial for effective communication. The subject is the doer of the action, while the agent is the entity responsible for carrying out the action. By correctly identifying the subject and agent in a sentence, we can convey our message more clearly and avoid ambiguity.

Additionally, using the appropriate subject-verb agreement and passive voice can further enhance the clarity of our writing. It is important to remember that language use and grammar are constantly evolving, and it is essential to continue learning and improving our skills.

By staying informed about language use and grammar rules, we can become more effective communicators and convey our message with greater impact. Whether you are a student, professional, or simply interested in improving your language skills, there are many resources available to help you continue learning and growing.