I. NOUNS AND NOMINALS: Nominal refers to the function that the word (or group of words) serves in the sentence. Nouns are single words that usually serve a nominal function.

1. Structurally, a noun may be defined as anything that ends with a noun-type ending (like-"ment"). Identify at least 6 more noun endings and find an example to illustrate each. (You can tell whether something is a noun by seeing if it can be made plural or possessive.)

2. Underline the nouns in the following nonsense sentences.

A. His parklip seemed rather stacious.

B. Some billyflaps were clining a somewhat dorgy snule.

C. You tribble the rimbits on the dallylags.

D. A very lobeful blint was fendously loofing the strogs.

E. A dirty little moggen bloored the strene.

F. You didn't flench that kabe very spoothly.

G. Several cribbins were in the squanch. (or There were several cribbins in the squanch.)

II. DETERMINERS: Determiners are function words that signal that a noun is coming up shortly (there may be adjectives in between). (Function words are called by the "function" they serve in the sentence.) Exs: this, his, any, four (see p. 77 of "Petey" for more examples)

1. Identify the determiners in the previous set of nonsense sentences.

2. Use several and either as noun determiners.

3. When a word that is usually a determiner fills the whole noun slot, it is functioning as a nominal, rather than a determiner. Ex. "Most people like chocolate" vs. "Most like chocolate." Give an example of several used as a nominal; of either used as a nominal.

4. Invent a nonsense sentence to illustrate why my can be classified as a noun determiner.

5. Put a determiner in each blank. (Don’t use "a," "an," or "the")

______________ boys fed __________________ elephants.

1. There are FIVE common positions in the sentence usually filled by nouns (or noun phrases). These are called nominal positions (or functions): subject, direct object, indirect object, complement, object of a preposition. Invent one nonsense sentence to illustrate each function. (One sentence can illustrate several if you wish.)

2. Go back to the sentences above and write the sentence "position" over each noun (subject, direct object, indirect object, complement, object of a prep.)