{"id":4059,"date":"2013-06-27T17:14:27","date_gmt":"2013-06-27T17:14:27","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/?page_id=4059"},"modified":"2026-03-28T11:22:58","modified_gmt":"2026-03-28T16:22:58","slug":"nouns-in-different-roles","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/nouns-in-different-roles\/","title":{"rendered":"Nouns as Different Roles in a Sentence"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\t\t\t<div id=\"mmDeferVideoEncompass_g55fhoXmMPc\" style=\"position: relative;\">\n\t\t\t<picture>\n\t\t\t\t<source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/circle-play-duotone.webp\" type=\"image\/webp\">\n\t\t\t\t<source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/circle-play-duotone.png\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"> \n\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"eager\" id=\"videoThumbnailImage_g55fhoXmMPc\" data-source-videoID=\"g55fhoXmMPc\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/circle-play-duotone.png\" alt=\"Nouns as Different Roles in a Sentence Video\" height=\"464\" width=\"825\" class=\"size-full\" data-matomo-title = \"Nouns as Different Roles in a Sentence\">\n\t\t\t<\/picture>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<style>img#videoThumbnailImage_g55fhoXmMPc:hover {cursor:pointer;} img#videoThumbnailImage_g55fhoXmMPc {background-size:contain;background-image:url(\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/updated-nouns-as-different-roles-in-a-sentence-64c3e20fc71c2.webp\");}<\/style>\n\t\t\t<script defer>\n\t\t\t  jQuery(\"img#videoThumbnailImage_g55fhoXmMPc\").click(function() {\n\t\t\t\tlet videoId = jQuery(this).attr(\"data-source-videoID\");\n\t\t\t\tlet helpTag = '<div id=\"mmDeferVideoYTMessage_g55fhoXmMPc\" style=\"display: none;position: absolute;top: -24px;width: 100%;text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;font-size: small;border-top: 1px solid #fc0;\">Having trouble? <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v='+videoId+'\" target=\"_blank\">Click here to watch on YouTube.<\/a><\/span><\/div>';\n\t\t\t\tlet tag = document.createElement(\"iframe\");\n\t\t\t\ttag.id = \"yt\" + videoId;\n\t\t\t\ttag.src = \"https:\/\/www.youtube-nocookie.com\/embed\/\" + videoId + \"?autoplay=1&controls=1&wmode=opaque&rel=0&egm=0&iv_load_policy=3&hd=0&enablejsapi=1\";\n\t\t\t\ttag.frameborder = 0;\n\t\t\t\ttag.allow = \"autoplay; fullscreen\";\n\t\t\t\ttag.width = this.width;\n\t\t\t\ttag.height = this.height;\n\t\t\t\ttag.setAttribute(\"data-matomo-title\",\"Nouns as Different Roles in a Sentence\");\n\t\t\t\tjQuery(\"div#mmDeferVideoEncompass_g55fhoXmMPc\").html(tag);\n\t\t\t\tjQuery(\"div#mmDeferVideoEncompass_g55fhoXmMPc\").prepend(helpTag);\n\t\t\t\tsetTimeout(function(){jQuery(\"div#mmDeferVideoYTMessage_g55fhoXmMPc\").css(\"display\", \"block\");}, 2000);\n\t\t\t  });\n\t\t\t  \n\t\t\t<\/script>\n\t\t\n<p><script>\nfunction AuJ_Function() {\n  var x = document.getElementById(\"AuJ\");\n  if (x.style.display === \"none\") {\n    x.style.display = \"block\";\n  } else {\n    x.style.display = \"none\";\n  }\n}\n<\/script><\/p>\n<div class=\"moc-toc hide-on-desktop hide-on-tablet\">\n<div><button onclick=\"AuJ_Function()\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/toc2.svg\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" alt=\"show or hide table of contents\"><\/button><\/p>\n<p>On this page<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<nav id=\"AuJ\" style=\"display:none;\">\n<ul>\n<li class=\"toc-h2\"><a href=\"#What_is_a_Noun\" class=\"smooth-scroll\">What is a Noun?<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"toc-h2\"><a href=\"#Subject\" class=\"smooth-scroll\">Subject<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"toc-h2\"><a href=\"#Object\" class=\"smooth-scroll\">Object<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"toc-h2\"><a href=\"#Complement\" class=\"smooth-scroll\">Complement<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"toc-h2\"><a href=\"#Review\" class=\"smooth-scroll\">Review<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"accordion\"><input id=\"transcript\" type=\"checkbox\" class=\"spoiler_button\" \/><label for=\"transcript\">Transcript<\/label>\n<div class=\"spoiler\" id=\"transcript-spoiler\">\n<p>Nouns are some of the most common building blocks that we use to create sentences, whether we\u2019re writing an essay, jotting down notes, or just talking to a friend. One of the reasons that nouns are so useful is that they can take on several different roles in a sentence, allowing you to create complex sentences with multiple pieces of information.<\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"What_is_a_Noun\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>What is a Noun?<\/h2>\n<p>\nTo begin, let\u2019s remind ourselves what a noun actually is.<\/p>\n<p>Nouns are words that name a person, place, thing, or idea. For example, <em>brother<\/em> and <em>Jackson<\/em> are people, <em>school<\/em> and <em>Pinedale Street<\/em> are places, <em>table<\/em> and <em>dog<\/em> are things, and patience and energy are ideas, so all of these words are nouns!<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Person:<\/strong> brother, Jackson<\/li>\n<li><strong>Place:<\/strong> school, Pinedale Street<\/li>\n<li><strong>Thing:<\/strong> table, dog<\/li>\n<li><strong>Idea:<\/strong> patience, energy<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Now, let\u2019s take a look at three of the main roles that nouns can take within a sentence: subject, object, and complement.<\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"Subject\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>Subject<\/h2>\n<p>\nThe subject of a sentence is the person, place, thing, or idea that is performing the action of the sentence. Here\u2019s an example of a sentence that uses a noun as the subject:<\/p>\n<div class=\"transcriptcallout\">\u201cMallory tried rock-climbing for the first time last week.\u201d<\/div>\n<p>\n&nbsp;<br \/>\nWe know that the word <em>Mallory<\/em> is a noun because it names a person, and we know it\u2019s the subject of this sentence because it is performing the action, <em>tried<\/em>. <\/p>\n<p>Here\u2019s another example:<\/p>\n<div class=\"transcriptcallout\">\u201cThe dog and the squirrel chased after each other all morning.\u201d<\/div>\n<p>\n&nbsp;<br \/>\nIn this case, we\u2019re dealing with a compound subject, which means <em>two<\/em> nouns are acting as the subject. Since the <em>dog<\/em> and the <em>squirrel<\/em> are both doing the chasing, dog and squirrel are the nouns that make up the compound subject of this sentence.<\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"Object\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>Object<\/h2>\n<p>\nNouns can also be the object in a sentence. There are three different types of objects we\u2019ll be looking at today: direct object, indirect object, and object of the preposition.<\/p>\n<h3><span id=\"Direct_Object\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>Direct Object<\/h3>\n<p>\nThe direct object of a sentence is the person or thing that the action of the sentence is directed toward. For example, in the sentence \u201cBrayden threw his suitcase into the car,\u201d the noun <em>suitcase<\/em> would be the direct object because the suitcase is receiving the action of the verb <em>threw<\/em>. Here\u2019s another example:<\/p>\n<div class=\"transcriptcallout\">\u201cLea told Mason that his shoes were untied.\u201d<\/div>\n<p>\n&nbsp;<br \/>\nIn this case, the noun <em>Mason<\/em> is the direct object of the sentence because he is the <em>recipient<\/em> of the action <em>told<\/em>.<\/p>\n<h3><span id=\"Indirect_Object\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>Indirect Object<\/h3>\n<p>\nThe indirect object of a sentence is the person or thing that receives the direct object. Here\u2019s an example:<\/p>\n<div class=\"transcriptcallout\">\u201cI sold my book to Ivan.\u201d<\/div>\n<p>\n&nbsp;<br \/>\nIt will help if we identify the direct object first. In this sentence, the noun that is taking the action is <em>book<\/em> (the book is being sold). The direct object (book) is being received by the noun <em>Ivan<\/em>, so <em>Ivan<\/em> is the indirect object.<\/p>\n<p>Here\u2019s another example:<\/p>\n<div class=\"transcriptcallout\">\u201cShe gave Lisa the list of ingredients for the chocolate cake.\u201d<\/div>\n<p>\n&nbsp;<br \/>\nLet\u2019s find the direct object again first. In this sentence, the noun receiving the action is list (the list is being given). The list is being given to Lisa, so <em>Lisa<\/em> is the indirect object.<\/p>\n<h3><span id=\"Object_of_the_Preposition\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>Object of the Preposition<\/h3>\n<p>\nThe object of a preposition is a noun that is referenced by a preposition and combines with it to form a prepositional phrase. Here\u2019s an example:<\/p>\n<div class=\"transcriptcallout\">\u201cThe bird flew toward the nearest branch.\u201d<\/div>\n<p>\n&nbsp;<br \/>\nIn this sentence, the preposition is <em>toward<\/em>. The noun <em>branch<\/em> is what the preposition is referring to; in other words, the branch is what the bird is flying toward. This means that the noun <em>branch<\/em> is the object of the preposition, which creates the prepositional phrase \u201ctoward the nearest branch.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Here\u2019s another example:<\/p>\n<div class=\"transcriptcallout\">\u201cGrace ran from the room and left her pen on the desk.\u201d<\/div>\n<p>\n&nbsp;<br \/>\nIn this sentence, there are two prepositional phrases. The first preposition is <em>from<\/em>. The noun <em>room<\/em> is what the preposition is referring to, so <em>room<\/em> is the object of the preposition, creating the prepositional phrase \u201cfrom the room.\u201d The second preposition is \\(on\\).<\/p>\n<p>The noun \\(desk\\) is what the preposition is referring to, so \\(desk\\) is the object of the preposition, creating the prepositional phrase \u201con the desk.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"Complement\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>Complement<\/h2>\n<p>\nFinally, let\u2019s take a look at complements. A complement is a word or phrase that adds additional information to a sentence. This could be a noun, pronoun, or adjective, but we\u2019ll stick to complements that are nouns for this video.<\/p>\n<p>Here\u2019s an example:<\/p>\n<div class=\"transcriptcallout\">\u201cKendall called Jamie a troublemaker.\u201d<\/div>\n<p>\n&nbsp;<br \/>\nFirst, let\u2019s quickly go through and label the important parts of speech so we can see what\u2019s going on.<\/p>\n<p>Kendall is the subject, called is the verb, and Jamie is the direct object. Now, let\u2019s take a look at the word troublemaker. This noun is providing extra information that tells us more about Jamie, so it\u2019s taking the role of a complement.<\/p>\n<p>Here\u2019s another example:<\/p>\n<div class=\"transcriptcallout\">\u201cI named my new cat Lucy.\u201d<\/div>\n<p>\n&nbsp;<br \/>\nOnce again, let\u2019s quickly label each word.<\/p>\n<p>I is the subject, named is the verb, and cat is the direct object. Just like troublemaker in the previous example, the word Lucy is providing us with extra information that tells us more about the noun cat, so it is a noun that is taking on the role of a complement.<\/p>\n<hr>\n<h2><span id=\"Review\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>Review<\/h2>\n<p>\nOkay, to wrap things up, let\u2019s go over a few review questions.<\/p>\n<p>1. Which word in the following sentence is the direct object?<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI asked John to check on the puppies before we left.\u201d<\/p>\n<ol style=\"list-style: upper-alpha;\">\n<li>John<\/li>\n<li>Puppies<\/li>\n<li>I<\/li>\n<li>We<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<div style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\">\n   <button class=\"buttontranscript\" onClick=\"toggle('Answer1')\">Show Answer<\/button>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"Answer1\" class=\"showanswer\">\n   <strong>The correct answer is A.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">The direct object is the receiver of the action. In this case, John is the person being asked, so John is the direct object. Puppies is the object of the preposition on, I is the subject of the sentence, and we is the subject of the adverbial phrase \u201cbefore we left.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>\n&nbsp;<br \/>\n2. What part of speech is the word Marcus in the following sentence?<\/p>\n<p>\u201cChris gave Marcus a red bike for his birthday.\u201d<\/p>\n<ol style=\"list-style: upper-alpha;\">\n<li>Subject<\/li>\n<li>Object of the preposition<\/li>\n<li>Direct object<\/li>\n<li>Indirect object<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<div style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\">\n   <button class=\"buttontranscript\" onClick=\"toggle('Answer2')\">Show Answer<\/button>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"Answer2\" class=\"showanswer\">\n   <strong>The correct answer is D.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">The indirect object of a sentence is the person or thing that receives the direct object. In this case, the direct object is bike because the bike is what\u2019s being given. Marcus is the person being given the bike, so Marcus is the indirect object.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>\n&nbsp;<br \/>\n3. Which word in the following sentence is a complement?<\/p>\n<p>\u201cOur neighbor\u2019s dog is a poodle.\u201d<\/p>\n<ol style=\"list-style: upper-alpha;\">\n<li>Poodle<\/li>\n<li>Dog<\/li>\n<li>Our<\/li>\n<li>Neighbor\u2019s<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<div style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\">\n   <button class=\"buttontranscript\" onClick=\"toggle('Answer3')\">Show Answer<\/button>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"Answer3\" class=\"showanswer\">\n   <strong>The correct answer is A.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">The word poodle is a noun that is providing extra information about \u2013the noun dog, so poodle is a complement. Dog is the subject of the sentence, while our and neighbor\u2019s are both adjectives.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>\n&nbsp;<br \/>\nThat\u2019s all for this review! Thanks for watching, and happy studying!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"home-buttons\">\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/parts-of-a-sentence\/\">Return to Parts of a Sentence Videos<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><script>\nfunction toggle(obj) {\n          var obj=document.getElementById(obj);\n          if (obj.style.display == \"block\") obj.style.display = \"none\";\n          else obj.style.display = \"block\";\n}\n<\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Return to Parts of a Sentence Videos<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":187688,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":{"0":"post-4059","1":"page","2":"type-page","3":"status-publish","4":"has-post-thumbnail","6":"page_category-parts-of-a-sentence-videos","7":"page_category-video-pages-for-study-course-sidebar-ad","8":"page_type-video","9":"subject_matter-english"},"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4059","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4059"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4059\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":280952,"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4059\/revisions\/280952"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/187688"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4059"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}