Functions of Nouns

Ms. Jackie Andalecio

Nouns are names
of people, places,
things, events,
animals, or ideas.
Nouns function
in different ways:
 Subject
Does an action with an action verb
Exists with a verb of being
Is renamed or described after a
verb of being or a linking verb
Is acted upon with a passive verb
 Direct Object
Receives or is the object of
the action
Answers the question
“what” or “whom” after an
action verb
 Retained Object
Answers the question
“what” or “whom” after a
passive verb (to be + past
participle)
 Indirect Object
Answers to whom/what or for
whom/what
Always precedes a direct object
Never has the word “to” or
“for” stated
 Subjective Complement
Also called Predicate
Nominative
Renames or describes
(equals) the subject after a
verb of being or a linking verb
Object of the Preposition

The object in a
prepositional phrase
Comes after a preposition
 Objective Complement
Renames or describes
(equals) the direct object
Test for OC: insert “to be”
between DO and OC
 Direct Address

Used when addressing

someone (conversation)
 Appositive
Renames another noun
*Usually placed next to the
noun it renames