The difference between Purpose and Subject

When used as nouns, purpose means an object to be reached, whereas subject means in a clause: the word or word group (usually a noun phrase) that is dealt with. in active clauses with verbs denoting an action, the subject and the actor are usually the same.

When used as verbs, purpose means to have set as one's purpose, whereas subject means to cause (someone or something) to undergo a particular experience, especially one that is unpleasant or unwanted.

Subject is also adjective with the meaning: likely to be affected by or to experience something.

check bellow for the other definitions of Purpose and Subject

  1. Purpose as a noun:

    An object to be reached; a target; an aim; a goal. "purpose".

  2. Purpose as a noun:

    A result that is desired; an intention.

  3. Purpose as a noun:

    The act of intending to do something; resolution; determination.

  4. Purpose as a noun:

    The subject of discourse; the point at issue.

    Examples:

    "rfquotek Spenser"

  5. Purpose as a noun:

    The reason for which something is done, or the reason it is done in a particular way.

    Examples:

    "The purpose of turning off the lights overnight is to save energy."

  6. Purpose as a noun (obsolete):

    Instance; example.

  1. Purpose as a verb (intransitive):

    To have set as one's purpose; resolve to accomplish; intend; plan.

  2. Purpose as a verb (transitive, passive):

    To design for some purpose.

  3. Purpose as a verb (obsolete, intransitive):

    To discourse.

    Examples:

    "rfquotek Edmund Spenser"

  1. Subject as an adjective:

    Likely to be affected by or to experience something.

    Examples:

    "a country subject to extreme heat"

    "Menu listings and prices are subject to change."

    "He's subject to sneezing fits."

  2. Subject as an adjective:

    Conditional upon.

    Examples:

    "The local board sets local policy, subject to approval from the State Board."

  3. Subject as an adjective:

    Placed or situated under; lying below, or in a lower situation.

    Examples:

    "rfquotek Spenser"

  4. Subject as an adjective:

    Placed under the power of another; owing allegiance to a particular sovereign or state.

  1. Subject as a noun (grammar):

    In a clause: the word or word group (usually a noun phrase) that is dealt with. In active clauses with verbs denoting an action, the subject and the actor are usually the same.

    Examples:

    "In the sentence ‘The mouse is eaten by the cat in the kitchen.’, ‘The mouse’ is the subject, ‘the cat’ being the agent."

  2. Subject as a noun:

    An actor; one who takes action.

    Examples:

    "The subjects and objects of power."

  3. Subject as a noun:

    The main topic of a paper, work of art, discussion, field of study, etc.

  4. Subject as a noun:

    A particular area of study.

    Examples:

    "Her favorite subject is physics."

  5. Subject as a noun:

    A citizen in a monarchy.

    Examples:

    "I am a British subject."

  6. Subject as a noun:

    A person ruled over by another, especially a monarch or state authority.

  7. Subject as a noun (music):

    The main theme or melody, especially in a fugue.

  8. Subject as a noun:

    A human, animal or an inanimate object that is being examined, treated, analysed, etc.

  9. Subject as a noun (philosophy):

    A being that has subjective experiences, subjective consciousness, or a relationship with another entity.

  10. Subject as a noun (logic):

    That of which something is stated.

  11. Subject as a noun (math):

    The variable in terms of which an expression is defined.

    Examples:

    "Making ''x'' the subject of ''x''sup 2 − 6''x'' + 3''y'' = 0, we have ''x'' = 3 ± √(9 − 3''y'')."

  1. Subject as a verb (transitive, construed with '''to'''):

    To cause (someone or something) to undergo a particular experience, especially one that is unpleasant or unwanted.

Compare words:

Compare with synonyms and related words: