UNIT 10: MODIFICATION OF NOUNS

A noun is a word that represents a person, a place, or thing. A thing in this definition can be a physical entity or it can be an abstract idea. A noun may be used as:

Subject:

Blackhawk was a famous American Indian.

If it were Friday, John would be here.

Blackhawk is the name of a person. A noun that represents the name of a person or a specific place is a proper noun. Some other nouns are also proper nouns, e.g., August, Easter.

Direct Object:

Ms. Cervantes cleaned the house.

The authorities commended Robert.

Identify a direct object by asking what or whom.

In the first sentence Ms. Cervantes cleaned what? answer: house. House is the direct object of the verb cleaned.

second sentence. The authorities commended whom? answer: Robert. Robert is the direct object of the verb commended.

Indirect Object:

I sent Cinthya the MP4.

Ronald bought the dog a kennel.

Identify an indirect object by asking to what, for what, or to whom, for whom.

Object of a preposition:

He pulled the little blue wagon to the store.

From her perspective, the meeting was a success.

Predicate noun:

An intransitive verb cannot accept an object. A noun that follows an intransitive verb and completes the meaning of a sentence is called a complement. The word complement means to complete. A sentence has a subject and a predicate. Predicate is a generic term that includes those parts of the sentence that explain the subject of the sentence. The noun that follows an intransitive verb and completes the predicate may also be called a predicate noun or predicate nominative.

A predicate noun is an alternative word for the subject of the sentence.

Mr. Chang is a violinist.

Ms. Valera will be governor.

Appositive noun:

Appositive means near, and it is a noun or pronoun placed near another noun or pronoun. The appositive enhances our understanding of the original noun or pronoun.

My sister, Vickie, is in town for the family reunion.

Miguel, the valedictorian, will deliver the commencement oration.

Possessive Modifier:

A noun can be used to modify another noun. A noun can function as an adjective or adverb. A noun can also convey a sense of possession.

The town's water supply is in jeopardy.

Functioning as an Adjective:

The water pump is broken.

The word water is a noun, but in this application it functions as an adjective that describes the kind of pump.

Functioning as an Adverb:

I walked home.

The word home is a noun, but in this application it functions as an adverb that defines where I walked.

Ericka Cojoma

A05F