Module on Function of Nouns Prepared by: Ma. Cristina D. Panganoran Course & Yr.: BSE-III Clearance Number: 321

1. Module on Function of Nouns
Prepared by: Ma. Cristina D. Panganoran
Course & Yr.: BSE-III
Clearance Number: 321
Introduction
Traditional grammarians define a noun as "a person, place, thing, or idea."
Child designates a person; therefore, child is a noun.
Similarly, democracy designates an idea; therefore, democracy is a noun.
In addition, nouns can be identified by the presence of signal words such as the.
The farmer went out early in the morning.
Think of the English word: ‘hand’. Chances are that as a learner/user of the English language
you first learned this word as referring to a part of your body at the end of your arm (including your
thumb and fingers). ‘It is a noun!’ your previous teachers may once have said to you. Not a big deal,
right? Well, think again!!! If the word ‘hand’ is a noun, how is this noun typically linked to other
words in English to achieve meanings in which the item ‘hand’ enables us to refer to things we do
with our hands? Check the sentences below.
*Can you hand me the screwdriver please?
*Hand over the goods.
*My hand is numb.
* All hands on deck!
In other words, what is the use of the word ‘hand’ in English? Of greater importance perhaps:
do we always use the word ‘hand’ to refer to a part of our body? Before we move on please answer
activity one on the next page to brush up on your knowledge on the 8 parts of speech.
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2. Objectives
At the end of this lesson, you should be able to:
a) Identify the functions of nouns.
b) Write sentences using the functions of nouns.
c) Understand that words are multifunctional.
d) Create a narrative paragraph containing the different functions of nouns.
Activity 1
Write what part of speech the words below are on the space provided. Though it would be great that
you get a perfect score, you are not required to do so, just try your best.
1. Mexico - ___________________
2. polite - ___________________
3. move - ___________________
4. from - ___________________
5. about - ___________________
6. blue - ___________________
7. because - ___________________
8. yourself - ___________________
9. gracefully - ___________________
10. proof - ___________________
11. pirate - ___________________
12. novel - ___________________
13. helm - ___________________
14. contract - ___________________
15. Frederick - ___________________
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3. Did you see how easy it was to be familiar with what part of speech the words belong to?
While answering the activity on page 2, did you notice that some words can either be a verb or a
noun, an adverb or a preposition? Seeing how it is possible for some words to be multifunctional, it is
also true for some words to be in a different part of a sentence and not locked by a single function.
Another example aside from the word ‘hand’ which was mentioned before, are the words ‘orange’
and ‘contract’, analyze the sentences on the next page.
1. Manny Villar’s supporters wear orange shirts.
The word orange in this sentence was used as an adjective modifying the word shirts.
2. Orange is filled with vitamin C.
The same word orange is not an adjective here but a noun or the subject of the sentence.
3. I have your contract in the office.
The word contract is used as a noun in this sentence which is the object of the sentence.
4. Muscles contract while under tension.
In this sentence the word contract was used as a verb.
Eight (8) Functions of Nouns
The following are examples of the grammatical functions of nouns. There are a total of eight
(8) functions of nouns in this module. Take notice of how the sentence was structured and parts of
speech used.
Nouns as the Subject - tells who or what about the verb.
1. Becky yawns.
2. Garfield sleeps.
Nouns as Vocative/Direct Address – used to address someone or to call attention to someone.
1. Chucky, fetch!
2. That was a great performance, Alisha.
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4. Nouns as Direct Object – answers whom or what after an action verb.
1. Sheena dated Roy.
2. Olivia picks flowers.
Nouns as Indirect Object – tells to whom or for whom the action is done.
1. Billy threw Nikki the ball.
2. Mae bought Leo trousers.
Nouns as Objective Complement – follow the direct object and rename the direct object.
1. They elected John president.
2. His Latest invention was a laser gun.
Nouns as Subject Complement – always rename the subject and come after a linking most of the time.
1. Mickey is an actor.
2. Perseus is a demigod.
Nouns as Object of the Preposition – are always the last word in a prepositional phrase.
1. Winston bought the ring in Miami.
2. Kris Aquino got her gown from Saks Avenue.
Nouns as Appositive – explain or introduce a noun or pronoun that comes just before it.
1. The king of Olympus, Zeus, commanded Poseidon to release the Kraken.
2. The hundred eyed monster, Argus, destroyed the city.
Activity 2
Identify what function is used on the underlined nouns. Write your answer in the space provided
before the number. S = Subject, DA = Direct Address, DO = Direct Object, IO = Indirect Object, OC =
Objective Complement, SC = Subject complement, OP = Object of the Preposition, A = Appositive
1. The considerate policeman stopped the motorist.
2. Please hand me that pitcher.
3. David bought Drina a car.
4. Mom made my sister a beautiful quilt.
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5. 5. The class elected John class escort.
6. Myra entered her huge pumpkin at the fair.
7. That is Ms. Tina's house.
8. I nervously handed my grades to my father.
9. Jenny, close the door.
10. History is my favourite subject.
11. Patience is a virtue most people don't have.
12. I can’t find her shoes.
13. Everyone in the seminary does his duty religiously.
14. Three students were chosen to go the seminar.
15. The shape of the roof is triangular.
16. Can we go to the concert tonight?
17. Ms. Rhona, our adviser, wrote the reminders on the board.
18. Give your brother his toy.
19. We were swimming at the lake yesterday.
20. She broke the glass ashtray.
Activity 3
Going back on page 3 and 4, take a look at the eight functions of nouns and create two
sentences for each function on your own. Write your sentences below.
Nouns as the Subject:
Nouns as Vocative/Direct Address:
Nouns as Direct Object:
Nouns as Indirect Object:
Nouns as Object Complement:
Nouns as Subject Complement:
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6. Nouns as Object of the Preposition:
Nouns as Appositive:
Activity 4
Write a narrative about your summer vacation and make sure to use at least 5 functions of nouns in
your write up. Underline the nouns with these functions. Below the paragraph, write the noun and its
function.
My Summer Vacation
Noun Function
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7. Points to Remember:
1. Some words are multifunctional. Like the word ‘blue’ may mean two things. It may mean “color
blue’ or a ‘sad’ emotion, so it may function as a noun or an adjective.
2. There 8 functions of nouns.
Nouns as the Subject
Nouns as Vocative/Direct Address
Nouns as Direct Object
Nouns as Indirect Object
Nouns as Object Complement
Nouns as Subject Complement
Nouns as Object of the Preposition
Nouns as Appositive
3. These functions are easy to identify using the following tips.
Nouns as the Subject - tells who or what about the verb.
Nouns as Vocative/Direct Address – used to address someone or to call attention to someone.
Nouns as Direct Object – answers whom or what after an action verb.
Nouns as Indirect Object – tells to whom or for whom the action is done.
Nouns as Objective Complement – follow the direct object and rename the direct object.
Nouns as Subject Complement – always rename the subject and come after a linking most of the time.
Nouns as Object of the Preposition – are always the last word in a prepositional phrase.
Nouns as Appositive – explain or introduce a noun or pronoun that comes just before it.
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