Subject-raising meaning

Subject-raising refers to a syntactic construction in which a verb causes a subject to be "raised" from a lower clause to the main clause, creating a new subject for the verb.


Subject-raising definitions

Word backwards gnisiar-tcejbus
Part of speech The word "subject-raising" is a compound adjective formed from the noun "subject" and the verb "raising."
Syllabic division sub-ject-rais-ing
Plural The plural form of "subject-raising" is "subject-raisings."
Total letters 14
Vogais (4) u,e,a,i
Consonants (8) s,b,j,c,t,r,n,g

When it comes to syntax in linguistics, subject-raising is a phenomenon where the subject of a subordinate clause appears to be the subject of the main clause instead. This can lead to a change in the word order within the sentence, and it often occurs in languages with flexible word order.

Subject-Raising in English

In English, subject-raising commonly occurs with verbs like "seem," "appear," and "prove." For example, in the sentence "She seems to be happy," the subject of the subordinate clause "to be happy" is raised to become the subject of the main clause.

Other Examples

Another example of subject-raising in English is seen in sentences like "He proved to be a great leader" or "Mary believes him to be innocent." In each of these cases, the subject of the subordinate clause is raised to the subject position of the main clause.

Subject-Raising in Other Languages

While subject-raising is common in English, it is also observed in other languages like Spanish, French, and German. Each language may have its own specific rules and structures for subject-raising, but the underlying concept remains the same.

Overall, subject-raising is a fascinating aspect of syntax that showcases the flexibility and complexity of human language. By understanding how subjects can be raised from subordinate clauses to main clauses, linguists are able to unravel the intricacies of sentence structure and meaning.


Subject-raising Examples

  1. She seemed to be happy.
  2. They wanted him to leave.
  3. He appears to have finished his work.
  4. I believe her to be telling the truth.
  5. We consider them to be reliable.
  6. The doctor ordered him to rest.
  7. She expects him to arrive on time.
  8. We feel that it is important to address the issue.
  9. The teacher reminded us to study for the test.
  10. I want you to know the truth.


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  • Updated 23/06/2024 - 22:28:23