The subject of a sentence identifies what the sentence is about. The simple subject consists of one or more nouns or pronouns; the complete subject consists of the simple subject with all its modifiers.

A compound subject contains two or more simple subjects joined with a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or) or a correlative conjunction (both…and, either…or, neither…nor). (See 31h.)

Baseball and softball developed from cricket.

Both baseball and softball developed from cricket.

The subject usually comes before the predicate, or verb, but sometimes writers reverse this order to achieve a special effect.

Up to the plate stepped Casey.

In imperative sentences, which express requests or commands, the subject you is usually implied but not stated.

(You) Keep your eye on the ball.

In questions and certain other constructions, the subject usually appears between the auxiliary verb (31b) and the main verb.

Did Casey save the game?

In sentences beginning with there or here followed by a form of be, the subject always follows the verb. There and here are never the subject.

There was no joy in Mudville.