Determining Word Functions
Following are the steps for finding the word functions. A noun can only have one function in a
sentence. Mark out nouns once you have determined their functions to eliminate confusion.
The process detailed below works well for simple sentences.
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1. To start, look for prepositions. Usually 2-3 words after the preposition, you will find a noun.
That noun is the object of the preposition. A prepositional phrase requires a preposition and its
object.
prep. o.p.
Example: Billy gave Mary the ink pen during class.
2. Find the verb. (Remember helping, action, linking.)
3. Locate the subject by asking who or what in front of the verb.
Example: Billy should give Mary the ink pen during class.
verb--should give
Who or what should give? Billy is the subject.
4. Determine if the verb is action or linking.
5. If the verb is action, look for a direct object by saying the subject + the verb + what or
whom?
Example: Billy should give Mary the ink pen during class.
S + V + what or whom? Billy should give what or whom?
The answer, pen, is the direct object.
6. If you have a direct object, you might also have an indirect object. To find the indirect
object, say S+ V + DO + to whom or what or for whom or what? The answer is the indirect
object.
Example: Using the previous sentence, one would say
Billy should give the pen to whom or what or for whom or what?
Here, the indirect object would be Mary.
7. If the verb is linking, see if you have a word on the other side of the verb that renames the
subject. If you do, that word is the predicate nominative.
Example: Jim is a student in my 5th hour class.
The linking verb is is. Jim = student, so student is the predicate nominative.
8. Finally, if no other noun function is found, look to see if the word renames another noun close
to it without using a linking verb. If it does, it is an appositive.
Example: Mr. Lee, the math teacher, gives nightly homework.
The word teacher renames Mr. Lee without a linking verb present, so it is an appositive.
9. Identify adjective and adverb modifiers after you identify all the nouns. Adjectives describe
nouns or pronouns and answer What kind? Which one(s)? How many? How much? Adverbs
describe verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs and answer Where? When? How? To what extent?
*Sometimes words that seem to be nouns can function as adjectives, adverbs, or even verbs. Be
careful; look at how they function with the rest of the sentence!
Examples: The math teacher gives nightly homework. (Math is an adjective here.)
Every night, I have homework. (Night is an adverb here.)
10. Remember: FANBOYS can join any sentence parts. Identify them as coordinating
conjunctions.