A noun is a type of word in a language. A word that is a noun is always a thing or a person (or things or persons). When we use the word “thing” here, we mean things like chairs, lamps, and rocks, but we also mean “things” like animals, places, feelings, conditions, and actions. An action can certainly be a thing. If someone says “I like rollerblading,” the action of rollerblading is a thing; it’s a thing that this person likes. The following are some more examples of words that are nouns: sweetness, flying, anger, seashell, Central Park, kangaroo, perfume, pride, doctor, boredom, Mom, Uncle Ted, cheese, internet, backpacking, thought, heat, patience, navigation.
It’s important to know what type of thing in the world that a noun can represent, but it is equally important to know what a noun can do in a sentence. One way a noun can function is as the subject of a sentence or a clause:
seashell: The seashell floated away. [seashell = SUBJECT]
Central Park: Central Park offers some nice trails. [Central Park = SUBJECT]
flying: Flying is more convenient than taking the bus. [Flying = SUBJECT]
patience: Patience is something we could all use more of. [Patience = SUBJECT]
A noun can also function as a direct object in a sentence or clause:
seashell: I found a beautiful seashell on the beach. [seashell = DIRECT OBJECT]
Central Park: I love Central Park. [Central Park = DIRECT OBJECT]
flying: She teaches flying. [flying = DIRECT OBJECT]
A noun can also function as an indirect object:
seashell: I gave my seashell some polish. [seashell = INDIRECT OBJECT]
Central Park: We give Central Park high marks for beauty. [Central Park = INDIRECT OBJECT]
Uncle Ted: The army awarded Uncle Ted a medal. [Uncle Ted = INDIRECT OBJECT]
There are thousands of words that a dictionary designates as nouns in English, but other chunks of language can function in noun-like ways in a sentence. That is, they can function as subjects or objects. For example, pronouns (e.g., “I,” “they,” “him,” “us,” “something”) function as subjects and objects in a sentence, and verbs in the gerund form (e.g., “helping,” “running,” “laughing”) can function in these noun-like ways as well. Verbs in the infinitive form with “to” can sometimes function like nouns also.
They live downtown. [Pronoun “they” as SUBJECT]
She brought them more paper. [Pronoun “she” as SUBJECT. Pronoun “them” as INDIRECT OBJECT]
I saw him at the library. [Pronoun “him” as DIRECT OBJECT]
Getting to the airport on time could be difficult. [Gerund phrase “Getting to the airport on time” as SUBJECT]
I enjoyed seeing the play the other night. [Gerund phrase “seeing the play” as DIRECT OBJECT]
To get a good education is something worth striving for. [Infinitive phrase “To get a good education” as SUBJECT]
I need to get a car. [Infinitive phrase “to get a car” as DIRECT OBJECT]