assignment count noun

OASIS: Writing Center

Grammar: count and noncount nouns, introduction to count and noncount nouns.

Count and noncount nouns vary from language to language. In some languages, there are no count nouns (e.g., Japanese). In addition, some nouns that are noncount in English may be countable in other languages (e.g., hair or information).

Errors with count and noncount nouns can result in errors with article usage and with subject verb agreement .

Count Nouns

What is a count noun.

Count nouns can be separated into individual units and counted. They usually have both a singular and a plural form. Most English nouns are count nouns.

• one phone, two phones
• one dog, two dogs
• one shirt, two shirts

However, a few countable nouns only have a plural form in English. Here are a few examples:

These are often used with some sort of quantifier, or quantity word , to show how they are counted (e.g., "a pair of" pants, "two pairs of" pants, "some " pants).

How are count nouns made plural?

Count nouns are usually made plural by adding an "-s" or an "-es."

• one boy, two boy s
• one folder, two folder s
• one box, two box es
• one church, two church es

If the noun ends in "-y," change the "-y" to "-ies" to make it plural.

• one family, two famil ies
• one party, two part ies

However, if a vowel precedes the "-y," add just an "-s" to make it plural.

• one toy, two toy s
• one donkey, two donkey s

If the noun ends in "-o," add "-es" to make it plural.

• one potato, two potato es
• one tomato, two tomato es

If the noun ends in "-f" or "-fe," change the "-f" to a "-v" and add "-es."

• one thief, two thiev es
• one hoof, two hoov es

Some count nouns have irregular plural forms. Many of these forms come from earlier forms of English.

• one foot, two feet
• one person, two people
• one tooth, two teeth
• one criterion, two criteria

When unsure of the plural form, please consult the dictionary. An English learner’s dictionary (such as Merriam-Webster, Cambridge, Oxford, or Longman) may be the most useful.

Important: Singular count nouns must have a word in the determiner slot. This could be an article, a pronoun, or a possessive noun (i.e., "a," "an," "the," "this," or a possessive noun). Please see our page on article usage for more information.

Noncount Nouns

What is a noncount noun.

Noncount (or uncountable) nouns exist as masses or abstract quantities that cannot be counted. They have no plural form. Although most English nouns are count nouns, noncount nouns frequently occur in academic writing.

Here are some common categories of noncount nouns. Like all things in English (and language in general), there may be exceptions.

A mass: work, equipment, homework, money, transportation, clothing, luggage, jewelry, traffic

A natural substance: air, ice, water, fire, wood, blood, hair, gold, silver

Food: milk, rice, coffee, bread, sugar, meat, water

An abstract concept: advice, happiness, health, education, research, knowledge, information, time

A game: soccer, tennis, basketball, hockey, football, chess, checkers

A disease: diabetes, measles, polio, influenza, malaria, hypothyroidism, arthritis

A subject of study: economics, physics, astronomy, biology, history, statistics

A language : Arabic, Chinese, Spanish, English

An activity (in the "-ing" form): swimming, dancing, reading, smoking, drinking, studying

Important: Noncount nouns do not use the indefinite articles "a" or "an." They can, however, use the definite article "the" if what is being referred to is specific. They can also use no article if what is being referred to is general (generic) or nonspecific. Please see our page on article usage for more information.

Double Nouns

Some nouns can be both count and noncount. When they change from a count to a noncount noun, the meaning changes slightly. In the noncount form, the noun refers to the whole idea or quantity. In the count form, the noun refers to a specific example or type. When the noun is countable, it can be used with the indefinite article "a" or "an" or it can be made plural.

Check the published literature in your field of study to determine whether specific nouns are used in a countable or an uncountable way. Sometimes, a noun that is generally countable becomes uncountable when used in a technical way.

Here are a few examples:

• Life is a gift. (noncount)
• She leads a very fulfilling life . (count = This specifies the type of life. It could be a boring life, a dangerous life, and so on.)
• I like cheese . (noncount)
• The cheeses of France are my favorite. (count = This specifies the type of cheese.)
• The study of language is called linguistics. (noncount)
• English is often considered an international language . (count)

Quantity Words

Quantity words are used to add information about the number or amount of the noun. Some quantity words can only be used with countable singular nouns (e.g., computer, pen, and crayon), some can only be used with countable plural nouns (e.g., printers, flashdrives, and keyboards), some can only be used with uncountable nouns (i.e., paper, ink), and some can be used with both plural countable nouns and with uncountable nouns.

With countable singular nouns (e.g., computer, pen, crayon):

• each computer
• every computer
• another computer

With countable plural nouns (e.g., printers, flashdrives, and keyboards):

• several printers
• a large number of printers
• a small number of printers
• not many printers
• too many printers
• many printers
• a few printers
• very few printers
• few printers
• fewer printers

With uncountable nouns (e.g., paper or ink):

• a great deal of paper
• a large amount of paper
• a small amount of paper
• not much paper
• too much paper
• a little paper
• very little paper
• little paper

With countable plural nouns and with uncountable nouns (e.g., printers, flashdrives, keyboards; paper, or ink):

• some printers
• any printers
• a lot of printers
• a lot of ink
• hardly any printers
• hardly any ink
• (almost) all printers
• (almost) all ink
• no printers
• none of the printers
• none of the ink
• not any printers
• not any ink
• other printers

Note the difference between "few/little" (almost none) and "a few/a little " (some, but not many/much). "Few/little" tend to have a negative connotation. "A few/a little" tend to be more positive.

• There are few solutions. (There are not many solutions.)
• There are a few solutions. (There are some solutions.)  
• He received little education. (He did not receive much education.)
• He received a little education. (He received some education.)

Nouns Video Playlist

Note that these videos were created while APA 6 was the style guide edition in use. There may be some examples of writing that have not been updated to APA 7 guidelines.

Writing Tools: Using a Dictionary for Grammatical Accuracy Video

Note that this video was created while APA 6 was the style guide edition in use. There may be some examples of writing that have not been updated to APA 7 guidelines.

• Writing Tools: Using a Dictionary for Grammatical Accuracy (video transcript)

Related Resources

Knowledge Check: Count and Noncount Nouns

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Count and Noncount Nouns: Basic Rules

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This handout discusses the differences between count nouns and noncount nouns. Count nouns can be pluralized; noncount nouns cannot.

Adjectives with Countable and Uncountable Nouns

The basic rules: count and noncount nouns.

A count noun is one that can be expressed in plural form, usually with an "s." For example, "cat—cats," "season—seasons," "student—students."

A noncount noun is one that usually cannot be expressed in a plural form. For example, "milk," "water," "air," "money," "food." Usually, you cannot say, "He had many moneys."

Count and Noncount Nouns with Adjectives

Most of the time, this does not matter with adjectives. For example, you can say, "The cat was gray" or "The air was gray." However, the difference between a countable and uncountable noun does matter with certain adjectives, such as "some/any," "much/many," and "little/few."

Some/Any : Some and any countable and uncountable nouns.

• "There is some water on the floor."
• "There are some students here."
• "Do you have any food?"
• "Do you have any apples?"

Much/Many : Much modifies only uncountable nouns. Many modifies only countable nouns.

• "We don't have much time to get this done."
• " Many Americans travel to Europe."

Little/Few : Little modifies only uncountable nouns.

• "He had little food in the house."
• "The doctor had little time to think in the emergency room."

Few modifies only countable nouns.

• "There are few doctors in town."
• " Few students like exams."

Other basic rules

A lot of/lots of : A lot of/lots of are informal substitutes for much and many . They are used with uncountable nouns when they mean much and with countable nouns when they mean many .

• "They have lots of (much) money in the bank."
• "A lot of (many) Americans travel to Europe."
• "We got lots of (many) mosquitoes last summer."
• "We got lots of (much) rain last summer."

A little bit of : A little bit of is informal and always precedes an uncountable noun.

• "There is a little bit of pepper in the soup."
• "There is a little bit of snow on the ground."

Enough : Enough modifies both countable and uncountable nouns.

• "There is enough money to buy a car."
• "I have enough books to read."

Plenty of : Plenty of modifies both countable and uncountable nouns.

• "They have plenty of money in the bank."
• "There are plenty of millionaires in Switzerland."

No : No modifies both countable and uncountable nouns.

• "There is no time to finish now."
• "There are no squirrels in the park."

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Definition of assignment noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

• Students are required to complete all homework assignments.
• You will need to complete three written assignments per semester.
• a business/special assignment
• I had set myself a tough assignment.
• on an assignment She is in Greece on an assignment for one of the Sunday newspapers.
• on assignment one of our reporters on assignment in China
• The students handed in their assignments.
• The teacher gave us an assignment on pollution.
• Why did you take on this assignment if you're so busy?
• He refused to accept the assignment.
• assignment on

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• Count and Non-Count Nouns
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Nouns that can be Count or Non-Count

Count nouns .

Count nouns are nouns you can easily count. They can be modified by a number, and they have both singular and plural forms.

Students from a local college recruited forty participants for the study.

Count Nouns and Articles (the/a/an)

We can describe count nouns using articles like the, a, or an. These little descriptors tell us if a noun is singular, plural, specific, or non-specific!

For a detailed breakdown of article use, check out this awesome resource from the University of Waterloo.

Non-Count Nouns

Non-Count nouns (also known as mass nouns) can't be modified by a number and are treated as a unit as opposed to something with parts . Non-count nouns cannot be pluralized  and cannot be used with the articles a/an. 

The study contained  information on how to support people experiencing  pain .

Our company should consider alternatives to oil.

Many families had difficulty finding flour  at the beginning of the pandemic.

Common Categories of Non-Count Nouns

Non-count nouns and articles (the/a/an), denoting quantity of non-count nouns.

You can indicate the quantity of many non-count nouns by pairing them with a partitive, like the words  piece, cup or bag.

I have a new  piece of information that will fascinate you. This room needs a new piece of furniture . The class collected five bags of trash. My new lawnmower requires less than a litre of gas  to run.

You can check if a noun is  both count and non-count or if it has multiple meanings (some count and some non-count) by using a learner's dictionary . 

The word pain  has both a count and non-count meaning.

• Doctors and nurses need to understand that pain is an emotional experience (Treede, 2018). [pain as a general concept]
• The patient said she felt a sharp pain in her knee and a duller pain in her ankle. [a specific instance of pain]

The word time has multiple meanings, and one of those meanings (the time at which something occurs) can be used as either a count or noncount noun. 

• What time do you want to meet?
• Maybe I should call back at a better time .

Memory , meaning the ability to remember things, can be used in both a countable and non-countable way. 

• I have a horrible memory; I forgot to bring the salad . [memory as this individual's ability to recollect]
• I have a horrible memory  that keeps resurfacing. [a specific recollection]
• I can't remember anything because I have horrible memory.   [memory as an individual's ability to recollect]
• These memories  are so moving. [memories as discrete and separate recollections]
• Memory  is untrustworthy. [memory as the general concept of recollection]

If you are referring to types or discrete separate instances of a typically uncountable noun, you are using it in a countable sense. 

• Disruptive behaviour can be a sign of distress. [behaviour as the general idea of actions]  
• The award winner displayed behaviours including contentiousness, curiosity and creativity. [behaviours meaning discrete separate actions]
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150 Count and Noncount Nouns and Articles

Learning objectives.

• Define and use count and noncount nouns.
• Recognize and use definite and indefinite articles.

Nouns are words that name things, places, people, and ideas. Right now, you may be surrounded by desks, computers, and notebooks. These are called count nouns because you can count the exact number of desks, computers, and notebooks—three desks, one computer, and six notebooks, for example.

On the other hand, you may be carrying a small amount of money in your wallet and sitting on a piece of furniture. These are called noncount nouns . Although you can count the pieces of furniture or the amount of money, you cannot add a number in front of money or furniture and simply add – s to the end of the noun. Instead, you must use other words and phrases to indicate the quantity of money and furniture.

Incorrect: five moneys, two furnitures

Correct: some money, two pieces of furniture

By the end of Section 5.3.1 “Count and Noncount Nouns” , you will grasp the difference between the two types of nouns and be able to use them confidently in speaking and writing.

Count and Noncount Nouns

A count noun refers to people, places, and things that are separate units. You make count nouns plural by adding – s .

Table 5.1 Count Nouns

A noncount noun identifies a whole object that cannot separate and count individually. Noncount nouns may refer to concrete objects or abstract objects. A concrete noun identifies an object you can see, taste, touch, or count. An abstract noun identifies an object that you cannot see, touch, or count. There are some exceptions, but most abstract nouns cannot be made plural, so they are noncount nouns. Examples of abstract nouns include anger, education, melancholy, softness, violence, and conduct.

Table 5.2 Types of Noncount Nouns

On a separate sheet of paper, label each of the following nouns as count or noncount.

• Electricity ________
• Water ________
• Book ________
• Sculpture ________
• Advice ________

On a separate sheet of paper, identify whether the italicized noun in the sentence is a count or noncount noun by writing C or NC above the noun.

• The amount of traffic on the way home was terrible.
• Forgiveness is an important part of growing up.
• I made caramel sauce for the organic apples I bought.
• I prefer film cameras instead of digital ones.
• My favorite subject is history .

Definite and Indefinite Articles

The word the is a definite article . It refers to one or more specific things. For example, the woman refers to not any woman but a particular woman. The definite article the is used before singular and plural count nouns.

The words a and an are indefinite articles . They refer to one nonspecific thing. For example, a woman refers to any woman, not a specific, particular woman. The indefinite article a or an is used before a singular count noun.

Definite Articles ( The ) and Indefinite Articles ( A/An ) with Count Nouns

I saw the concert. (singular, refers to a specific concert)

I saw the concerts. (plural, refers to more than one specific concert)

I saw the U2 concert last night. (singular, refers to a specific concert)

I saw a concert. (singular, refers to any nonspecific concert)

On a separate sheet of paper, write the correct article in the blank for each of the following sentences. Write OK if the sentence is correct.

• (A/An/The) camel can live for days without water. ________
• I enjoyed (a/an/the) pastries at the Bar Mitzvah. ________
• (A/An/The) politician spoke of many important issues. ________
• I really enjoyed (a/an/the) actor’s performance in the play. ________
• (A/An/The) goal I have is to run a marathon this year. ________

Correct the misused or missing articles and rewrite the paragraph.

Stars are large balls of spinning hot gas like our sun. The stars look tiny because they are far away. Many of them are much larger than sun. Did you know that a Milky Way galaxy has between two hundred billion and four hundred billion stars in it? Scientists estimate that there may be as many as five hundred billion galaxies in an entire universe! Just like a human being, the star has a life cycle from birth to death, but its lifespan is billions of years long. The star is born in a cloud of cosmic gas and dust called a nebula. Our sun was born in the nebula nearly five billion years ago. Photographs of the star-forming nebulas are astonishing.

Collaboration

Once you have found all the errors you can, share with a classmate and compare your answers. Did your partner find an error you missed? Did you find an error your partner missed? Compare with your instructor’s answers.

Key Takeaways

• You can make count nouns plural by adding -s .
• Count nouns are individual people, places, or things that can be counted, such as politicians, deserts, or candles.
• Noncount nouns refer to whole things that cannot be made plural, such as salt, peace, or happiness.
• The is a definite article and is used to refer to a specific person, place, or thing, such as the Queen of England.
• A and an are indefinite articles, and they refer to nonspecific people, places, or things, such as an apple or a bicycle.

Writing Application

Write five sentences using the definite article the . Write five sentences using the indefinite article a or an . Exchange papers with a classmate and check each other’s work.

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5.3: Count and Noncount Nouns and Articles

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Learning Objectives

• Define and use count and noncount nouns.
• Recognize and use definite and indefinite articles.

Nouns are words that name things, places, people, and ideas. Right now, you may be surrounded by desks, computers, and notebooks. These are called count nouns because you can count the exact number of desks, computers, and notebooks—three desks, one computer, and six notebooks, for example.

On the other hand, you may be carrying a small amount of money in your wallet and sitting on a piece of furniture. These are called noncount nouns. Although you can count the pieces of furniture or the amount of money, you cannot add a number in front of money or furniture and simply add – s to the end of the noun. Instead, you must use other words and phrases to indicate the quantity of money and furniture.

• Incorrect: five moneys, two furnitures
• Correct: some money, two pieces of furniture

By the end of Section 5.3.1 , you will grasp the difference between the two types of nouns and be able to use them confidently in speaking and writing.

Count and Noncount Nouns

A count noun refers to people, places, and things that are separate units. You make count nouns plural by adding – s .

A noncount noun identifies a whole object that cannot separate and count individually. Noncount nouns may refer to concrete objects or abstract objects. A concrete noun identifies an object you can see, taste, touch, or count. An abstract noun identifies an object that you cannot see, touch, or count. There are some exceptions, but most abstract nouns cannot be made plural, so they are noncount nouns. Examples of abstract nouns include anger, education, melancholy, softness, violence, and conduct.

Exercise \(\PageIndex{1}\)

On a separate sheet of paper, label each of the following nouns as count or noncount.

• Electricity ________
• Water ________
• Book ________
• Sculpture ________
• Advice ________

Exercise \(\PageIndex{2}\)

On a separate sheet of paper, identify whether the italicized noun in the sentence is a count or noncount noun by writing C or NC above the noun.

• The amount of traffic on the way home was terrible.
• Forgiveness is an important part of growing up.
• I made caramel sauce for the organic apples I bought.
• I prefer film cameras instead of digital ones.
• My favorite subject is history .

Definite and Indefinite Articles

The word the is a definite article. It refers to one or more specific things. For example, the woman refers to not any woman but a particular woman. The definite article the is used before singular and plural count nouns.

The words a and an are indefinite articles. They refer to one nonspecific thing. For example, a woman refers to any woman, not a specific, particular woman. The indefinite article a or an is used before a singular count noun.

Definite Articles ( The ) and Indefinite Articles ( A/An ) with Count Nouns

I saw the concert. (singular, refers to a specific concert)

I saw the concerts. (plural, refers to more than one specific concert)

I saw the U2 concert last night. (singular, refers to a specific concert)

I saw a concert. (singular, refers to any nonspecific concert)

Exercise \(\PageIndex{3}\)

On a separate sheet of paper, write the correct article in the blank for each of the following sentences. Write OK if the sentence is correct.

• (A/An/The) camel can live for days without water. ________
• I enjoyed (a/an/the) pastries at the Bar Mitzvah. ________
• (A/An/The) politician spoke of many important issues. ________
• I really enjoyed (a/an/the) actor’s performance in the play. ________
• (A/An/The) goal I have is to run a marathon this year. ________

Exercise \(\PageIndex{4}\)

Correct the misused or missing articles and rewrite the paragraph.

Stars are large balls of spinning hot gas like our sun. The stars look tiny because they are far away. Many of them are much larger than sun. Did you know that a Milky Way galaxy has between two hundred billion and four hundred billion stars in it? Scientists estimate that there may be as many as five hundred billion galaxies in an entire universe! Just like a human being, the star has a life cycle from birth to death, but its lifespan is billions of years long. The star is born in a cloud of cosmic gas and dust called a nebula. Our sun was born in the nebula nearly five billion years ago. Photographs of the star-forming nebulas are astonishing.

Collaboration

Once you have found all the errors you can, share with a classmate and compare your answers. Did your partner find an error you missed? Did you find an error your partner missed? Compare with your instructor’s answers.

Key Takeaways

• You can make count nouns plural by adding -s .
• Count nouns are individual people, places, or things that can be counted, such as politicians, deserts, or candles.
• Noncount nouns refer to whole things that cannot be made plural, such as salt, peace, or happiness.
• The is a definite article and is used to refer to a specific person, place, or thing, such as the Queen of England.
• A and an are indefinite articles, and they refer to nonspecific people, places, or things, such as an apple or a bicycle.

Writing Application

Write five sentences using the definite article the . Write five sentences using the indefinite article a or an . Exchange papers with a classmate and check each other’s work.

• English Grammar
• Parts of Speech

Nouns: Definition & Types with Examples

Nouns, also called naming words, would probably be the very first part of speech you would have learnt in your English grammar classes. Anything we can touch, see, smell, taste, hear and hold can be referred to as nouns.

Here is what we will be covering in this article about nouns:

What Is a Noun?

• Examples of Nouns

Types of Nouns

Nouns used as a subject, nouns used as an object, nouns used as a complement, nouns used as verbs, nouns used as adjectives, frequently asked questions on nouns.

Nouns are a part of speech that comprise words that are used to name people, places, animals, objects and ideas. Almost every sentence will definitely have a noun, and they perform different roles in a sentence. Nouns can act as the subject, an indirect object , a direct object , a subject complement and an object complement. Nouns can also function as adjectives and verbs .

Examples of Nouns:

• People – Rahul, Sheela, Man, Person, Tommy, Women, Girl, The Prime Minister
• Places – Bangalore, India, Mexico, North Pole, South Africa, The Nile River, Classroom, Bedroom, Basketball Court, Cricket Ground, Swimming Pool
• Animals/Birds/Aquatic Animals/Reptiles – Lion, Zebra, Snake, Ostrich, Flamingo, Bear, Cat, Fish, Shark
• Ideas – Evolution, Invention, Extinction, Argument, Destruction
• Objects/Things – Bat, Cycle, Curtains, Paper, Bag, Blackboard, Cupboard

Nouns can be broadly classified into:

1.  Proper Nouns : Nouns that are used to name a person, place or thing specifically are called a proper noun. Proper nouns always begin with a capital letter.

• My name is Rose . (Name of a particular person)
• This is my dog, Bruno . (Name of a specific pet animal owned by someone)
• David came back from Minsk . (Name of a specific place)
• Louis Philippe is a famous brand of men’s clothing. (Name of a particular clothing brand)

2.  Common no uns : Common nouns are those nouns that refer to a generic item, group or place. This means that, unlike proper nouns, they are not used to identify specific people, places or objects. Common nouns are not capitalised unless they appear at the beginning of a sentence.

• I bought a pen yesterday. (Common object)
• I am going to school . (Common place)
• Only ten employees showed up to work today. (Common group)
• The car is out of fuel . (Common items)

3.  Singular nouns : These are words that are used to name a single person, place, animal, bird or object.

• There is a little boy in front of our house. (Single person)
• That is my daughter . (Single person)
• I found a wounded sparrow in the bush. (Single bird)
• A red van has been following us for a long time. (Single object)

4.  Plural nouns : Plural nouns refer to a number of people, places, animals or things. Nouns are made plural by adding an ‘s’ or ‘es’ or ‘ies’ or ‘ves’ to the existing root word. Nouns that end with an ‘s’ remain the same. Some nouns remain the same in both their singular and plural forms, and some others have totally different spelling.

• I need some apples .
• Did you find the boxes you were looking for?
• I bought mangoes from the market.
• We took photos of some deer on our way.

5. Countable nouns are those nouns that can be counted or measured.

• Tom brought ten packets of lays for the trip. (specific number – ten)
• Mom asked me to buy a dozen eggs . (specific – dozen means twelve)
• I saw an aeroplane around seven in the morning. (specific – an means one)

6. Uncountable nouns are those nouns that cannot be counted. This category of nouns includes both concrete and abstract nouns.

• I have a lot of homework to do. (Not specific)
• I have a cup of tea . (Cannot count)
• We are facing terrible weather today. (Cannot count)

7.  Collective Nouns : A collective noun is a naming word that is used to denote a group of objects, animals or people.

• A pride of lions
• A flock of sheep
• A swarm of bees
• A herd of elephants
• A band of musicians
• A board of directors
• A crew of sailors
• A company of actors
• A pair of shoes
• A chain of mountains
• A fleet of ships
• A bunch of grapes

8. Concrete Nouns: A concrete noun refers to objects that are material and can be perceived by the human senses.

• The book is on the table.
• I had a cup of coffee .
• Sharon opened the windows .
• Hardy goes to school by bus .

9. Abstract Nouns : Any entity that cannot be perceived by the five senses of the human body are called an abstract noun.

• Love is a strong emotion.
• Honesty is the best policy.
• It takes a lot of courage to raise your voice and stand up against injustice.
• You should not misuse the freedom you are given.

Also Explore: Compound Nouns | Possessive Nouns | Noun Phrases | Noun Exercises

Nouns Used as Different Components of a Sentence

When used as a subject , a noun mostly appears at the beginning of a sentence. It can be identified by asking the question ‘who’.

• Bruno went to the playground.
• The teacher asked the students to submit their assignments.
• The elephant was rescued safely after ten long hours.

When nouns are used as objects, they appear in the latter part of a sentence. It can be identified by asking the question ‘what’.

• I bought a pen .
• Where is your book ?
• I cannot find today’s newspaper .

Nouns can be used as a direct object and an indirect object.

Nouns Used as a Direct Object

You can identify a noun used as a direct object by asking the question ‘what’.

• Do you want a lollipop ? (What do you want? – a lollipop)
• I loved my dress . (What did you love? – my dress)

Nouns Used as an Indirect Object

You can ask the question ‘for whom’ to identify a noun used as an indirect object .

• Dan bought his sister a Mini Cooper. (For whom did Dan buy a Mini Cooper? – his sister)
• Megha baked Julie a cake. (For whom did Megha bake a cake? – Julie)

When a noun is used to modify or describe another noun, it acts as a complement .

Nouns Used as a Subject Complement

Professions and positions can perform the role of a subject complement.

• My brother is an engineer .
• Jawaharlal Nehru was the first Prime Minister of India.

Nouns Used as an Object Complement

Object complements are nouns that follow the noun they modify. Names, professions and positions can perform the role of an object complement.

• We named our dog, Shadow .
• The teacher made Tabitha, the class leader .

Multifunctional Nouns

There are some nouns which can also be used as a verb . Some nouns can be used as verbs with a slight change in the spelling of the original word.

• His divorce is final. (Used as a noun)

I am divorced . (Used as a verb)

• Do you like my new dress ? (Used as a noun)

I am dressed and ready to go. (Used as a verb)

• Derrick had come to collect some ice . (Used as a noun)

My mother iced the fish so that it did not stink. (Used as a verb)

• I have dance practice today. (Used as a noun)

Did you practise the song? (Used as an adjective)

With a slight change in the spelling or adding a suffix to the root word, nouns can sometimes be used as adjectives .

• I have no money . (Used as a noun)

There has been a change in the monetary policy of the country. (Used as an adjective)

• Javed sensed some danger . (Used as a noun)

What you are trying to do is dangerous . (Used as an adjective)

• She is excited about magic . (Used as a noun)

The experience was completely magical . (Used as an adjective)

• Speaking against another religion is a legal offence . (Used as a noun)

What you did was offensive . (Used as an adjective)

What is a noun?

A noun is a part of speech that is used to name or identify a person, place, thing or idea. There are different types of nouns like common nouns, proper nouns, abstract nouns, collective nouns, concrete nouns and so on.

What are the different functions of nouns?

Nouns can also function as verbs and adjectives with a slight change of spelling or by adding a suffix. For example, divorce can be used as a noun and a verb; money is a noun, while monetary is the adjective form of the verb. Nouns can also function as different components of the sentence as well.

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