How do nouns function in English sentences? In this article I will explain and illustrate the 8 noun functions in English grammar with examples.

8 Noun Functions

Being able to use proper grammar is an important part of communicating clearly and effectively with your audience.

Every word in a sentence has a specific function and if you can recognize those functions, you will write and speak like a professional.

Let me explain and illustrate the 8 noun functions in an English sentence. However, before I explain and illustrate the 8 noun functions, I need to review nouns and types of nouns.

[REVIEW] Nouns are naming words. Nouns name a person, place, thing or idea.

[REVIEW] There are several types of nouns, proper nouns, common nouns, concrete nouns, abstract nouns, collective nouns and compound nouns.

[REVIEW] David is my friend (proper noun). The boys played football in the park (common noun). Dad drove the car into the shed (concrete noun). Attitude plays an important role in sport (abstract noun). A team of champions is not always a champion team (collective noun). The policeman directed the traffic away from the accident (compound noun).

The 8 noun functions explained and illustrated.

1. Noun Functions as Subject

The subject of the English sentence tells “who” or “what” about the verb in the sentence.

• Richard kicked the ball over the backyard fence.
• The car rammed the shop window with great force.
• The thief robbed the jewellery store in the shadow of darkness.
• The fence stopped the vicious dog roaming the neighbourhood.

In the first sentence, we ask: “Who kicked the ball over the fence?” The answer is: “Richard kicked the ball over the fence.”

In the second sentence, we ask: “What rammed the shop window?” The answer is: “The car rammed the shop window.”

In the third sentence, we ask: “Who robbed the jewellery store?” The answer is: The thief robbed the jewellery store.”

In the fourth sentence, we ask: “What stopped the vicious dog roaming the neighbourhood?” The answer is: “The fence stopped the vicious dog roaming the neighbourhood.”

2. Noun functions as Direct Object

The direct object in an English sentence answers “whom” or “what” after the action verb in the sentence.

• Jonathan renovated the house at the end of the street.
• Jonathan married Emma after a brief courtship.
• Rachel washed the dishes before she went to work.
• Robert helped his wife clean the house before the visitors arrived.

In the first sentence, we ask: “Jonathan renovated what?” The answer is: “Jonathan renovated the house at the end of the street.”

In the second sentence, we ask” Jonathan married whom or whom did Jonathan marry?” The answer is: Jonathan married Emma after a brief courtship.”

In the third sentence, we ask: Rachel washed what?” The answer is: “Rachel washed the dishes before she went to work.”

In the fourth sentence, we ask: “Robert helped whom or whom did Robert help?” The answer is: “Robert helped his wife before the visitors arrived.”

3. Noun Functions as Indirect Object

The indirect object in the English sentence tells “to whom” or “for whom” the action is done in the sentence.

• David taught the students public speaking in their second year homiletics class.
• Emma brought Jonathan the screwdriver so he could fix the cupboard door.
• David loaned Rebekah the car so that she could travel interstate.
• Rachel brought her sister lunch because she was hungry.

In the first sentence, we identify the indirect object by asking: “David taught public speaking to whom or to whom did David teach public speaking?” The answer is: “David taught the student public speaking.”

In the second sentence, we identify the indirect object by asking: “Emma brought the screwdriver for whom?” The answer is: “Emma brought the screwdriver for Jonathan so that he could fix the cupboard door.”

In the third sentence, we identify the indirect object by asking: “David loaned the car to whom?” The answer is: “David loaded the car to Rebekah so that she could travel interstate.”

In the fourth sentence, we identify the indirect object by asking: “Rachel brought lunch for whom?” The answer is: “Rachel brought lunch for her sister because she was hungry.”

4. Noun Functions as Predicate Nominative

A noun that follows a linking verb in an English sentence may function as a predicate nominative. A predicate nominative will always rename the subject of the sentence.

• David is the lecturer at the local college.
• Brad was the coach of the school football team before his accident.
• Johnston is the brains behind the growing organization.
• Jenny is the captain of the women’s football team.

Remember, the predicate nominative follows the linking verb and renames the subject.

In the first sentence, lecturer renames the subject (David = Lecturer).

In the second sentence, coach renames the subject (Brad = Coach).

In the third sentence, brains renames the subject (Johnston = Brains).

In the fourth sentence, captain renames the subject (Jenny = Captain).

5. Noun Functions as Object of Preposition

The object of the preposition in an English sentence is the last word in a prepositional phrase.

• The bus stopped at the lights.
• The boys played football in the backyard.
• The carpenter build the fence around the garden.
• Dad drove the car into the garage.

To identify the object of preposition, you simply need to identify the prepositional phrase.

In the first sentence, the prepositional phrase is: “at the lights.” The object of the preposition is the last word in the preposition phrase, which is: “lights.”

In the second sentence, the prepositional phrase is: “in the backyard.” The object of the preposition is the last word in the prepositional phrase, which is: “backyard.”

In the third sentence, the prepositional phrase is: “around the garden.” The object of the preposition is the last word in the prepositional phrase, which is: “garden.”

In the fourth sentence, the prepositional phrase is: “into the garage.” The object of the preposition is the last word in the prepositional phrase, which is, “garage.”

6. Noun Functions as an Appositive

In an English sentence, an appositive explains or enhances a noun or pronoun that comes just before it or a noun or pronoun that is near to it. A noun or pronoun in apposition to another noun or pronoun can replace the noun or pronoun.

• My friend, David, delivered the good news to the directors of the company.
• Robyn, my sister, moved away from the family home to take up a new position in the company.
• My country, Australia, is a wonderful place with many places to holiday.
• Steven, the minister led the funeral service with sensitivity and certainty.

In the first sentence, David is in apposition to my friend. David explains my friend and David can take the place of my friend. David delivered the good news to the directors of the company.

In the second sentence, my sister is in apposition to Robyn. My sister explains Robyn and can take the place of Robyn. My sister moved away from the family home to take up a new position in the company.

In the third sentence, Australia is in apposition to my country. Australia explains my country and can take the place of my country. Australia is a wonderful place with many places to holiday.

In the fourth sentence, the minister is in apposition to Steven. The minister explains Steven and can take the place of Steven. The minister led the funeral service with sensitivity and certainty.

7. Noun Functions as Objective Complement

In an English sentence, the objective complement follows a direct object and renames the direct object.

• Rachel named her dog boodee.
• Americans elected Trump president in 2016.
• We consider Peter a friend of the family.
• Mary appointed Reuben CEO of the company.

Remember the objective complement follows a direct object and names or renames the direct object.

In the first sentence, the objective complement “boodee” names the direct object “dog.”

In the second sentence, the objective complement “president” renames the direct object “Trump.”

In the third sentence, the objective complement “a friend” renames the direct object “Peter.”

In the fourth sentence, the objective complement “CEO” renames the direct object “Reuben.”

8. Noun Functions As Noun of Direct Address

In an English sentence, the noun of direct address is used to address someone or something.

• Class, it is time to break for music practice.
• People, listen to your leader.
• I’m sure you didn’t mean to crash the car, Jonathan.
• Please, doctor, give me some pain medication.

Remember a noun of direct address is normally someone or something which is directly spoken to and is usually set off by a comma or commas.

In the first sentence, the noun of direct address is “class.”

In the second sentence the noun of direct address is “people.”

In the third sentence, the noun of direct address is “Jonathan.”

In the fourth sentence, the noun of direct address is “doctor.”

A Quick Test For 8 Noun Functions!

Here are a couple of sentences to test your ability to identify the 8 noun functions in an English sentence.

• Dad gave Brad the money to buy the car.
• Dad gave Brad the money to buy the car.
• Dad gave Brad the money to buy the car.
• Dad is the manager of the shop.
• Dad is the manager of the shop.
• Dad, can I have some money to buy a pizza?
• They elected dad, president.
• My dad, David, is a generous person.

Answers to 8 Noun Functions

Here are the answers to the quick test for 8 noun functions!

Noun Functions as Indirect Object

Noun Functions as Direct Object

Noun Functions as Subject

Noun Functions as Predicate Nominative

Noun Functions as Object of Preposition

Noun Functions as Noun of Direct Address

Noun Functions as Objective Complement

Noun Functions as Appositive

Resources For 8 Noun Functions

English Grammar in Use by Raymond Murphy

Plain English Handbook by J. Martyn Walsh and Anna Kathleen Walsh

The Only Grammar Book by Susan Thurman

Mastering English Grammar by S.H. Burton

Check out the 8 Types of Nouns With Examples