1. Mrs. Meo’s Honors English I Classes
Functions of Nouns in Sentences

2. Subject Object of Preposition Direct Object Appositive Direct Address
Review: A noun is the name of a person, place or thing.
New concept: Each noun in a sentence has a function.
By function, we mean the purpose of the noun.
Examples of noun functions are:
Subject
Object of Preposition
Direct Object
Appositive
Direct Address
Indirect Object
Predicate Noun

3. Subject The ball bounced. “Ball” is the subject of this sentence.
The subject is the do-er in the sentence. Click to see a subject do something.
Find the subjects in the following sentences. Sometimes it is easy to find the subject. Other times, we need to remind ourselves: The subject is doing something, or is being something.
Check your answers on the next slide. (Click for the sentences to appear.)
My phone is not working.
Fortunately, Pokemon characters do not invade our classroom.
Four score and seven years ago, our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation.
For an authority figure, integrity is essential.

4. Answers: The subjects are highlighted: My phone is not working.
Fortunately, Pokemon characters do not invade our classroom.
Four score and seven years ago, our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation.
For an authority figure, integrity is essential.
The characters are the things which are not invading us.
The phone is the thing which is not working.
The years are not doing anything; the fathers are.
The authority figure is not doing anything here. Integrity is being essential.

5. Appositive The appositive restates the noun before it
Appositive The appositive restates the noun before it. Appositives are often, but not always, set off by commas.
The Red Mill, a historical landmark, was built in 1809 and renovated in 1965.
In the sentence above, the phrase “a historical landmark” restates “Red Mill”, and is therefore an appositive phrase. The appositive is “landmark”.
The Red Mill Five, a group of local citizens, sponsored the renovation for historical preservation.
In the sentence above, the appositive is “group”. The full appositive phrase is “a group of local citizens”. You may notice that this also includes a prepositional phrase, which helps to describe the group.

6. Direct Address In direct address, a word names the person who is being spoken to in the sentence.
Pikachu, where are you?
In the above sentence, “Pikachu” is an example of direct address. The speaker is calling Pikachu.
Words in direct address can occur at any point in the sentence. Here are some examples. The underlined words are in direct address.
Mrs. Stocker, I do not know where to leave your order.
There is no need to worry, sir; we will call you as soon as your table is ready.
Feed the birds with this bag of food that I just bought, Jaime.
Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears.

7. Object of Preposition The object of a preposition is the noun in a prepositional phrase which answers the question, “What?” after the preposition. Click to see some examples.
The baseball player swirled in a circle.
“Circle” is the object of the preposition, “in”.
The cat is sleeping in a house, on a computer, next to a couch.
The underlined words above are objects of prepositions.

8. Direct Object The direct object is the noun which follows an action verb, and which receives the action of that verb.
I attended my elementary school for 8 years.
My very talented mother painted these flowers.
My team won the pennant!
The underlined words are direct objects. Notice that each receives the action of the verb. The direct object answers the question, “What?” after the verb.

9. The thoughtful child showed his friend the small duckling.
Indirect Object The indirect object answers “to whom?” or “for whom?” after the verb.
You gave me a fright!
The thoughtful child showed his friend the small duckling.
“Me” is the indirect object.
“Friend” is the indirect object.
Both of these sentences have direct objects as well as indirect objects. Can you identify them? Answers will appear when you click the forward arrow.
“Fright” and “duckling” are direct objects in these sentences.

10. Verbs which express a state of being
Predicate Noun The predicate noun follows a verb that expresses being rather than action. The predicate noun restates the subject in some way.
Jocelyn was the winner of the most valued prize.
She is a champion!
Some classes are challenges.
They have been my friends for a long time.
The underlined words are predicate nouns. Notice that each sentence that has a predicate noun uses some form of one of the verbs in the chart below. Am
Was Be Is
Were
Being
Are
Been
Verbs which express a state of being

11. The team gave Reggie the milk can. It is his reward.
Can you identify the functions of each noun in these sentences? The nouns are in purple.
In the last moments of the game, the team mascot, Reggie, caught the ball and ran to the end zone.
The team gave Reggie the milk can. It is his reward.
Find the prepositional phrases first. Remember, the subject and verb will not be in a prepositional phrase.
If necessary, use the prepositions list that is in your binder.

12. You have completed the Nouns Power Point.
Answers: moments = object of preposition game = object of preposition mascot = subject Reggie = appositive ball = direct object end zone = object of preposition
team = subject
Reggie = indirect object
milk can = direct object
reward = predicate noun
Congratulations!
You have completed the Nouns Power Point.
Please ask questions in class for any concepts on which you need clarification.