Differences between unspoken and express

The prayer is divided into two parts: the subject and predicate. Within both we can find different types that fulfill their functions and have their own characteristics. In this lesson from a TEACHER we want to focus on the differences between tacit and express subject with examples. In this way you will be able to distinguish them better in a sentence and you will know how to identify them correctly.

In the first place, in order to focus on the differences between the tacit subject and the express subject, we must know what a subject is. The subject is he noun phrase, the noun or the pronoun that agrees in person and number with the verb. The subject, therefore, is required in a mandatory way by the verb. Within the subject we can find different types:

• Express subject
• Tacit subject
• Agent subject
• Patient subject
• Complex subject
• Incomplete subject
• Simple subject
• Composite subject

This time we want to focus on two of these subjects: the tacit and the express. To better understand their differences, we will first see what each of them are.

On some occasions when we face a sentence we can verify that the subject of it is not in it, we do not see it explicitly written, but if we make some inquiries we will realize that it is. When a subject does not appear explicitly within a sentence, we are faced with an unspoken subject.

In other words, tacit subjects occur in those sentences that they do not have a name or pronoun that identifies with the subject. This type of subject is also known as an omitted or elliptical subject. In these cases the subject must be searched in a referential way since we do not have it written. It is widely used in Spanish as it allows us to avoid unnecessary repetitions when the subject has already been named. Let's look at an example of an unspoken subject to understand it better:

He studied mathematics.

In the case at hand we see that there is no noun or pronoun that works as a subject, since Mathematics, which is a noun, does it as a Direct Complement. So where is the subject? The subject is there even though we can't. But we can find clues about him in the verb. Thus we can determine that the subject of this sentence can be two people:

• First person: (I) was studying Mathematics.
• Third person: (He / She) studied Mathematics.

The express subject is one who is explicitly mentioned in a sentence. That is, the one we see reflected in prayer. This subject is made up of a noun phrase and can be placed anywhere in the sentence without changing its meaning. Although generally, in a conventional sentence it will always be placed at the beginning of it, before the verb. It is the most used form in our language, especially in formal speech and writing. To understand it better, let's see an example:

Miguel studies mathematics.

In this case we clearly see that the subject is Miguel, because it is who performs the action of the verb. Thus we can also observe that it is a noun phrase since the nucleus of it is a noun.

Next we are going to see a series of examples of sentences with unspoken and express subjects.

• The boy he's sitting on a park bench (express)
• He's sitting on a park bench (unspoken)
• His father works in a multinational (express)
• Work in a multinational (tacit)
• U.S we listened to music (express)
• We listened to music (unspoken)
• Your you bought a backpack at Raquel's store (express)
• You bought a backpack at Raquel's store (tacit)
• Women they were tired of that situation (express)
• They were tired of that situation (unspoken)
• Alberto bought a gift for his mother (express)
• He bought a gift for his mother (unspoken)
• Antonio read a lot of adventure books (express)
• Read lots of adventure books (unspoken)
• Mary she called her father to tell her the news (express)
• She called her father to tell her the news (unspoken)

As you can see, the differences between tacit and express subjects with examples are much easier to learn. If you want to find more lessons like this, do not hesitate to visit our sections of Spanish language.