JOBS OF NOUNS

NOUNS ACT AS SUBJECTS

• A noun is a subject when it is the one committing the action or being described

• Examples: The boy is working on his homework.(Who is working? The boy is.)

Mrs. Smith is my mother’s best friend.(Who is the friend? Mrs. Smith is.)

NOUNS ACT AS COMPLEMENTS

• Direct Objects• Indirect Objects• Predicate Nouns

NOUNS AS DIRECT OBJECTS

• Nouns that are direct objects are the nouns that are being acted upon by the verb.

• John wrote a letter to Mary.• (What is John

writing? A letter.)• Pick up the pen. • (What is being

picked up? The pen.)

NOUNS AS INDIRECT OBJECTS

• When nouns are indirect objects they are the thing that the verb is being done to or for.

• Harold sent me a letter.• (Who or what is the

letter being sent to or for? ME.)• Sarah will give the

class a treat.• (A treat is being

given to or for whom? The Class.)

NOUNS AS PREDICATE NOUNS

• Predicate nouns are nouns that describe a subject using a linking verb, like:• Is, am, are, was,

were, will be, has been, etc.

• Examples:• John is my friend.• (The linking verb

connects the subject John to the description, friend)• The party is a baby

shower.• (The PN is baby

shower.)

NOUNS AS OBJECTS OF THE PREPOSITION

• When you find a noun following a preposition, it is the object of the preposition.• Some prepositions

are: to, for, on, over, under, by, near, between, behind, next to, beside, across, after, etc.

• Samuel was waiting near the door.• Near is your

preposition, so door is your Object of the Prep.• Beside the shelf, you

will find the book.• Beside is your

Preposition, so shelf is your OP.