FUNCTION OF NOUNS

A noun may be used as a subject of a sentence, as a direct object, as an indirect object, or it may be used as the object of a preposition. Some additional noun applications are addressed below.

1. noun functions as subject

Subject tells "who" or "what" about the verb. Ali ran to school because he was late. Fiji is a great place to visit in your holidays.

2. Noun Functions as Direct Object

Direct object answers "whom" or "what" after an action verb.
Rebekah loved Jacob with all her heart. David threw the ball to Salim.

3. Noun Functions as Indirect Object

Indirect object tells "to whom" or "for whom" the action is done. Dad gave Bradley the money to buy the car. Rachel brought dad the newspaper. You identify the indirect object in the first sentence above by asking "Dad gave the money to whom?" The answer is "Bradley". You identify the indirect object in the second sentence above by asking "Rachel brought the newspaper to whom?" The answer is "dad".

4. noun as object of a preposition

He pulled the little red wagon to the store. From her perspective, the meeting was a success. First sentence. The preposition is to, and the object of that preposition is the noun store.

Second sentence: The preposition is from, and the object of that preposition is the noun perspective.

The boy was hurt in the accident. The driver filled the fuel tank of the bus

5. Noun Functions as Predicate

A noun that follows a linking verb may function as a predicate nominative. A predicate nominative always renames the subject. Thomas is the minister of the Baptist Church. I am the manager of the Pizza Hut. Notice in both sentences that the predicate nominative follows the linking verb and renames the subject (Minister = Thomas and Manger = I).

6. Noun Functions as an Appositive

Appositive means near. In English grammar an appositive is a noun or pronoun placed near another noun or pronoun. The appositive enhances our understanding of the original noun or pronoun. An Appositive explains a noun or pronoun that comes just before it. Amira's sister, Rachel, was an intelligent student. My sister, Ann, is in town for the reunion. "We, the people. . . ."

7.noun as possessive modifier

A noun can be used to modify another noun. That is, a noun can function as an adjective or adverb. A noun can also convey a sense of possession. Consider the following example. The town's water supply is in risk. The word town is a noun. In the sentence above the word town's identifies which water supply is in risk. Town's is possessive case. The town possesses the water supply.

8.noun functioning as an adjective

The water pump is broken. The word water is a noun, but in this application it functions as an adjective that describes the kind of pump.

9. noun functioning as an adverb

I walked home. The word home is a noun, but in this application it functions as an adverb that defines where I walked.