Noun Functions in English Grammar

Noun Functions

• Subject (S): A noun is often the main word in a sentence structure. It comes before the verb and tells who or what the sentence is about.
• Direct Object (DO): A noun that receives the action of the verb directly.
• Indirect Object (IO): A noun that receives the action of the verb indirectly; often following a verb of giving or transfering something to someone. Words like "bring", "buy", "give", "make", "pay", "sell", "send", "teach", and "write" are often followed by indirect objects.
• Object of Preposition (OP): A noun that comes after a preposition. Prepositions like "in," "of," "on," "at," "for," "about," "from," and "to" show a relationship between the noun and another word in the sentence.
• Subjective Complement (SC): A noun (or adjective) that renames or describes the subject of the sentence. Often follows verbs like "be", "seem", "appear", "remain", "become".
• Objective Complement (OC): A noun (or adjective) that renames or describes the direct object of the verb. Often follows verbs like "appoint", "consider", "elect", "name", "nominate".

Examples

• The house on the corner belongs to my uncle.

  • House: Subject (S)

• My husband sells expensive Chinese antiques.

  • Antiques: Direct Object (DO)

• My uncle sold that rich couple some expensive antiques.

  • Couple: Indirect Object (IO)
  • Antiques: Object of Preposition (OP)

• The price of those antiques is very high.

  • Antiques: Object of Preposition (OP)

• My uncle is the richest man in town.

  • Man: Subjective Complement (SC)

• I consider my uncle a very fortunate man.

  • Man: Objective Complement (OC)