finding the subject in assigned sentence below

Question

Homework question please. I need to start this problem by finding the subject of this sentence but I’m confusing myself. The sentence is “Who told you where I left my phone?" What is the subject of this sentence please? Thank you.

Answer 1

Cynthiann, this sentence has two clauses, each with a subject. The primary clause (also called the independent clause) is

”Who told you x”. In this clause, “who” is the subject and “you“ is the indirect object.

 

Perhaps your confusion comes from the presence of the second clause. It is

”where I left my phone”.

This clause has “I” as the subject, “my phone” as the direct object, and “where” as the interrogative adverb that modifies the verb.

 

Two clauses, two subjects. When you are asked for “the subject of this sentence”, I guess they want the subject of the main clause.