Common and Proper, Singular and Plural, Possessive Nouns, Subjects, Predicate Nouns,

Direct Objects, and Indirect Objects

Nouns and Their Jobs

A noun is a person, place, thing, or idea.JohnexcitementRachelglorypeanutgirlsatisfaction

What Is a Noun?

A common noun is a general name for a person, place, thing, or idea.

Common nouns are NEVER capitalized.Ex. people, home, state

A proper noun is the specific name for a person, place, thing, or idea. It is ALWAYS capitalized.Ex. Larsen ,Louisiana, Taj Mahal

Common and Proper Nouns

http://www.firstschoolyears.com/literacy/word/other/plurals/resources/rules.htm

Singular and Plural Nouns

The possessive form of a noun shows ownership or relationship.The divers waited outside the archaeologist's

tent.The tent belongs to the archaeologist.

Possessive Nouns

NOUN RULE POSSESSIVE

SINGULAR Mars mound

Add an apostrophe and -s

Mars’s orbitmound’s location

PLURAL ending in –s

templestravelers

Add an apostrophe

temples’ treasurestravelers’ postcards

PLURAL not ending in –s

Peoplemen

Add an apostrophe –s (pretend it is singular)

people’s goodsmen’s shoes

The subject tells whom or what the sentence is about.

The little puppy ran through the pet store.

The Aztec Empire was located in the area now known as Mexico.

Mrs. Hopkins teaches sixth grade.

Nouns as the Subject

A complement is a word that completes the meaning of a verb.

There are three types of complements:Predicate nounsDirect objectsIndirect objects

Nouns as Complements

Renames or defines the subject after a linking verbRemember! A linking verb is a verb that links the

subject to a word in the predicate. Many times, linking verbs are forms of the verb “be”. (Am, is, are, was, were, etc.)

The Aztecs were fierce warriors. What were the Aztecs? They were warriors.

The animal trainer is a patient person.A bareback rider is a skilled performer.

*Note – Remember that you are looking for the NOUN, not the ADJECTIVE.

Predicate Nouns

Names the receiver of the action of the verb.

We took pictures of the clown.What did we take? We took pictures.

She baked delicious biscuits in the morning.What did she bake? She baked biscuits.

A famous composer wrote the music for the ballet.What did the composer write? The composer wrote

music.

Nouns as Direct Objects

Tells to whom or what or for whom or what an action is being done.

The Aztecs gave the Spanish gold and other precious goods.The Aztecs gave gold to whom? They gave it to the

Spanish.Dad gave Matthew his camera.

Dad gave the camera to whom? He gave it to Matthew.The trainer offered his animals treats in exchange

for good behavior. The trainer offered treats to what? The trainer gave

treats to animals.

Nouns as Indirect Objects

Step one: Find the verb.Step two: Is the verb action or linking?Step three: If the verb is linking, the

following noun is the predicate noun. If the verb is action, continue following the steps.

Step four: If the verb is action, the “what” is the direct object. The receiver of the direct object is the indirect object.

Now, that’s confusing! Let’s practice!

How to Find the PN, DO, and IO

Carolyne is a very sweet girl. First, find the verb. ~isNext, is it action or linking? linkingGirl must be the PN.

John drove the car around the block.Find the verb. ~droveAction or linking? ~actionJohn drove what? ~car (remember, the "what" is the DO)Car is the DO.

Mrs. Miller gave the students a test on Friday afternoon.Find the verb. ~gaveAction or linking? ~ actionMrs. Miller gave what? ~test (DO)To whom? ~students (students received the DO)Students is the IO.

Note** The indirect object will always be between the action verb and the direct object. If the noun comes after the direct object, it isn't the indirect object. It is the object of the preposition.

How to Find the PN, DO, and IO

For more practice, complete the exercises on page 44 in the Language Network book. Below are some helpful links.

http://www.lessontutor.com/eesprednouns.html

http://www.grammaruntied.com/nouns/IDobject.html

http://www.kwiznet.com/p/takeQuiz.php?ChapterID=2287&CurriculumID=58&Num=1.2

More Practice