Nouns can serve different grammatical functions in a sentence. They can act as subjects by committing the action or being described by the verb. Nouns can also act as complements, including direct objects that are acted upon by the verb, indirect objects that a verb is done for or to, and predicate nouns that describe the subject using a linking verb. Additionally, nouns can be objects of prepositions by following a preposition in a sentence.

1. JOBS OF NOUNS

2. NOUNS ACT AS SUBJECTS
• A noun is a subject • Examples:
when it is the one The boy is working on
committing the his homework.
action or being (Who is working? The
described boy is.)
Mrs. Smith is my
mother’s best friend.
(Who is the friend?
Mrs. Smith is.)

3. NOUNS ACT AS COMPLEMENTS
• Direct Objects
• Indirect Objects
• Predicate Nouns

4. NOUNS AS DIRECT OBJECTS
• Nouns that are • John wrote a letter
direct objects are to Mary.
the nouns that are • (What is John
being acted upon writing? A letter.)
by the verb. • Pick up the pen.
• (What is being
picked up? The
pen.)

5. NOUNS AS INDIRECT OBJECTS
• When nouns are • Harold sent me a
indirect objects letter.
they are the thing • (Who or what is the
that the verb is letter being sent to
being done to or or for? ME.)
for. • Sarah will give the
class a treat.
• (A treat is being
given to or for
whom? The Class.)

6. NOUNS AS PREDICATE NOUNS
• Predicate nouns are • Examples:
nouns that describe • John is my friend.
a subject using a • (The linking verb
linking verb, like: connects the
• Is, am, are, was, subject John to the
were, will be, has description, friend)
been, etc. • The party is a baby
shower.
• (The PN is baby
shower.)

7. NOUNS AS OBJECTS OF THE
PREPOSITION
• When you find a • Samuel was waiting
noun following a near the door.
preposition, it is the • Near is your
object of the preposition, so door is
preposition. your Object of the
• Some prepositions Prep.
are: to, for, on, over, • Beside the shelf, you
under, by, near, will find the book.
between, behind, • Beside is your
next to, beside, Preposition, so shelf is
across, after, etc. your OP.