We all get confused about nouns when we see them in different contexts .Sometimes a noun is not a noun.It can act as a verb.It can act even as an adjective .Let us find out when is a noun not a noun.
Noun which is a part of speech can sometimes be used as a verb and an adjective for different grammatical purposes.
For example,Let us consider the word ‘run’ .It can function as a noun in a sentence.But sometimes this can also be a verb.Look at the sentences given below..
1.I am going for a run.
2.I am about to run the marathon.
In the first sentence the word ‘run‘ functions as a noun.But in the second sentence the same word is functioning as a verb.
Let us look at another example where the word ‘influence’ is written as a noun and not a noun.
1.Her grandfather had a big influence on him
2.Gandhiji’s ideas influenced a group of people in the freedom struggle.
In the first sentence the word ‘influence’ is used as a noun.But when it comes to the second sentence it becomes a verb.
1.Radha has a black dress.
Here the word ‘black’ which is usually a noun ,is used as an adjective which modifies another noun.
How do you know a noun is a noun?
Mostly if a word follows articles like a,an or the and adjectives like some,high probability is there that the word must be a noun.And if the word is the name of a place,a person and an objects,it is definitely a noun.
For example
1.The drama was written by him.
Here ‘drama’ is a noun.It follows the article ‘the’.
2.Some pages were torn out.
Here the word ‘pages’ is a noun.It follows the adjective ‘some’
3.Ramanujan was a famous Mathematician.
Here ‘Ramanujan’ is a noun since it is a name of a person.
can a noun not be a noun ?
Nouns other than names of places and persons can sometimes be used as verbs.
Lets us have a look at the word’watch’
1.My father bought me a brand new watch.
2.They watched the movie with me.
In the first sentence the word ‘watch’ functions as a noun. In the second sentence that noun ‘watch’ is not a noun. It is a verb there.
Let us go through another example when noun cannot be a noun.
1.One has to keep one’s promise.
2.He promised me a gift for my birthday.
In the first sentence the word ‘promise’ functions as a noun.In the second sentence, the same word is used as a verb. So here the noun became a verb when we changed it into another part of speech.
Where a noun not be a noun?
Sometimes gerund can act as a noun and a verb.In those situations a noun cannot be used as a noun.
For example:
1. Selling is her nice in marketing
2. She is selling books.
In the first sentence ‘selling ‘ is a noun.In the second sentence that noun is not a noun. It is a used as a verb .
1.Runnig is a good exercise
2.He is running a marathon.
In the first sentence ‘running’ functions as a noun.In the second sentence ‘running’ is not a noun.It is used as a verb.
Why a noun may not be a noun?
Sometimes a noun can be used two times.In those scenarios a noun may not be a noun.It can be an adjective instead.
For example.
1.Sam is our science teacher.
Here the word ‘science’ which is a noun is used as an adjective.It modifies another noun ‘teacher’.
2.He is a clever clerk .
Here the word ‘clever’ is used as an adjective.
Conclusion :Noun which is often used to name a person,place or an object can sometimes be used as another part of speech.It can be used as verbs and as adjectives depending upon the purpose of the word we use.
Hi, My name is Ammu Shaji. I hail from Kerala. I hold a post-graduate degree in English Language and Literature. I am an Academic writer by passion and profession.