How can a noun function?

Answer 1

A noun functions as the subject of a sentence or a clause, and as the object of a verb or a preposition.

Some specialized functions of nouns are:

• A predicate noun (a subject complement) is the noun or a pronoun following a linking verb that restates or stands for the subject.
• An object complement follows and modifies a direct object.
• A noun of direct address is the name of the person spoken to, set off from the rest of the sentence by a comma or commas.
• A collective noun is a noun used to group people or things in a descriptive way.
• A partitive noun (also called a noun counter) is a noun to count or quantify an uncountable noun.
• An attributive noun (also called a noun adjunct) is a noun used to modify another noun and function as an adjective.
• A possessive noun is used to indicate ownership, possession, origin or purpose.