Class1_noun phrase and CAE writing 23-08-2017

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Remembering the noun phrase

The 5 grammatical functions of a noun

A noun can be defined as a word that is used to name a person, place, animal, or thing. It can
also name a state, an activity, an action, or a quality.
What is the grammatical function of a noun?
The work that a noun performs in a sentence is referred to as its grammatical function. In this
article, we are going to take a detailed look at the five grammatical functions of nouns.

A noun can perform any of the following five functions:

Subject of a verb
Object of a verb
Complement of a verb
Object of a preposition
Be in apposition to another noun
Let us now take a look at the functions above one by one.

Noun functioning as the subject of a verb

A noun will function as the subject of a verb when it is the subject of the sentence and comes
before the main verb of the sentence. More often than not, the noun will begin the sentence.

Example: Stacy killed a snake last night. (Here, the noun Stacy is functioning as the subject
of the verb killed.)
Other examples are as follow:

John teaches English in China.

Children can be very naughty sometimes.
Obama was voted President.
The politician is a liar.
All of the highlighted nouns in the sentences above are functioning as subjects to their
respective verbs. They function as subjects of verbs simply because they come before the
main verbs in the sentences and are also the subjects in their respective sentences.

Noun functioning as an object of a verb

A noun functions as an object of a verb when it comes after an action verb and receives the
action of the verb. A noun functioning as an object of a verb in a sentence will always be the
recipient of an action.
Example: Tom slapped Jerry. (Here, since the noun Jerry is coming after the action verb
slapped and receiving the action of the verb, we say it is the object of the verb slapped.)
More examples:

I kicked the ball.

I hate Janet.
The teacher punished the students.
I wrote the letter.
I know London because I have been there several times.
Roberta cooked the food.
All of the highlighted words in the sentences above are nouns functioning as objects of verbs.
They are functioning as objects of their respective verbs simply because they are the recipients
of the actions of their verbs.

Noun functioning as the complement of a verb

A noun will function as the complement of a verb when it comes after a linking verb or a state-
of-being verb and receives no action from the verb. Some examples of linking verbs in the
English language include the following: is, are, am, be, are, was, were, been, being, seem,
taste, appoint, become, feel, smell, sound, appear, etc.

Example: John is a liar. (Here, the noun liar is functioning as the complement of the verb
is.)

Other examples of nouns functioning as complements of verbs:

The man is a trader.

I was a teacher while living in China.
John is the winner.
Our friends from Pakistan were the losers.
I think it is an animal.
Phil Collins is a legendary musician.
All highlighted nouns in the sentences above are functioning as complements of their
respective linking verbs.

Noun functioning as the object of a preposition

When a noun functions as the object of a preposition, it comes after a preposition in a

sentence. By definition, any noun that comes immediately after a preposition is the object of
that preposition. For example John is the object of the preposition to in this sentence: I gave
the book to John.
We can therefore say that the noun John is functioning as the object of the preposition to.

Now that we have a good understanding as to what a noun functioning as the object of a
preposition looks like, let us take a look at some more examples below.

I interceded for the boy.

I will buy books for the children today when I visit the bookstore.
I have to give it to the teacher.
Let us go with John.
I trust in God.
It is not mine; it is for the landlord.
From the examples above, you can see that each of the nouns highlighted come after
prepositions thereby making them objects of their respective prepositions.

Noun being in apposition to another noun

This is the last but not least grammatical function of a noun. A noun can be in apposition to
another noun. By definition, the word apposition means putting a noun next to another noun
to explain it. So each time you see a noun placed next to another noun and that noun is
explaining the other noun, then you have a good example of a noun being in apposition to
anther noun.

For example: The footballer, Suarez has been suspended. (Here, you notice that two nouns
have been put next to each other, namely footballer and Suarez. Now, you notice that the
noun Suarez can be used to replace footballer and it also gives some information about the
other noun "footballer". So we can say the noun "Suarez" is in apposition to the noun
"footballer")

Other examples include the following:

The nurse, Janet has retired.

His book, Animal Farm, is considered one of the greatest books ever written.
The pastor, Elijah, has been arrested.
My hometown, Manchester, is a wonderful place.
All the highlighted nouns in the sentences above are nouns being in apposition to the nouns
coming before them.

Parts of the noun phrase

determiners, such as the, a, this, my, some, Jane's

attributive adjectives, such as large, beautiful, sweeter
adjective phrases and participial phrases, such as extremely large, hard as nails, made of
wood, sitting on the step
noun adjuncts, such as college in the noun phrase a college student
nouns in certain oblique cases, in languages which have them, such as German des
Mannes ("of the man"; genitive form)
prepositional phrases, such as in the drawing room, of his aunt
 adnominal adverbs and adverbials, such as (over) there in the noun phrase the man (over)
there
relative clauses, such as which we noticed
other clauses serving as complements to the noun, such as that God exists in the noun
phrase the belief that God exists
infinitive phrases, such as to sing well and to beat in the noun phrases a desire to sing
well and the man to beat
Text Structural Features Language features
Type
Article / Title (article + Has to catch and hold readers attention so needs
Contribu contribution) interesting opening and effective ending.
tion Paragraph headings Use direct questions.
(contribution) Try to personalize it.
Register depends on target reader but usually informal
neutral.
Competi Title Has to stand out from other pieces on the specified topic so
tion needs a striking opening and memorable ending.
Entry Register depends on target reader but usually informal
neutral.
Report Title Clear introduction explaining the reason for the report
Paragraph headings Very clear language describing something precisely
Objective / impersonal style.
Neutral to formal register depending on target reader.
Clear conclusion, usually a recommendation.
Proposal Title Clear introduction explaining reason for writing.
Paragraph headings Very clear language, persuasive language, recommendations
/ suggestions.
Objective / impersonal style.
Neutral to formal register depending on target reader.
Argument backed up by crystal clear reasons.
Essay Title usually provided. Neutral formal register
Academic piece of writing
Examine both sides of an argument in a clearly organized
structure.
Likely to come to a definite conclusion.
Informat Title Neutral formal register
ion Paragraph headings Clear language explaining rules and regulations for example.
Sheet Distinct paragraphs about different subjects, no links
between paragraphs.
Review Title Early statement of the subject of the review (film, book,
website etc.)
Some factual information about the subject.
More of the content should be devoted to the writers
opinions on the subject.
Writers opinion supported by examples related to subject.
Formal Opening and closing Clear opening paragraph giving reason for writing.
Letter conventions: Language that persuades by giving reasons supported by
Dear sir / madam to examples.
whom it may concern-
yours faithfully
Dear Mr. Smith yours
sincerely