In this article we’re going to take a deeper look into the concept of compound nouns with the help of examples and also try to answer the question “Is Object Noun Plural or Singular?”.
Object nouns are those nouns that come after the verb in a sentence or clause.
Can object nouns be plural?
Yes, object nouns can very much be plural. Even if they don’t function as the main noun of a sentence, they nonetheless are nouns.
Example- We bought three dozen apples from the store.
- In the above given example, the word ‘apples’ is the object noun of the sentence.
- This is because it succeeds the main verb of the sentence which is ‘bought’.
- The ‘-s’ at the end makes it a plural noun.
When are object nouns plural?
Object nouns are plural when the noun in question is quantifiably more than one in number.
Example- I have maintained a love for books since I was a young child.
- In the above given example, the word ‘books’ is the object noun of the sentence.
- This is because it succeeds the main verb of the sentence which is ‘maintained’.
- The ‘-s’ at the end makes it a plural noun.
Which object nouns are plural?
Any and every object noun can be plural in number. There are no specific nouns that cannot be plural.
Example- We will go to those shops over there.
- In the above given example, the word ‘shops’ is the object noun of the sentence.
- This is because it succeeds the main verb of the sentence which is ‘will go’.
- The ‘-s’ at the end makes it a plural noun.
Can object nouns be singular?
Yes object nouns can be singular. Just like any other noun, object nouns also function on the same rules.
Example- You need to pull the door, not push it.
- In the above given example, the word ‘it’ is the object noun of the sentence.
- This is because it succeeds the main verb of the sentence which is ‘pull’.
- There is no plural marker at the end of the object noun, therefor it’s a singular noun.
When are object nouns singular?
Object nouns are singular when the noun in question is quantifiably just one in number.
Example- I need just one tomato for the dish I am making.
- In the above given example, the word ‘tomato’ is the object noun of the sentence.
- This is because it succeeds the main verb of the sentence which is ‘need’.
- There is no plural marker at the end of the object noun, therefor it’s a singular noun.
Which object noun can be either singular or plural?
All object nouns can be either singular or plural. There are no exceptions.
Example 1- The only vegetable she likes is the potato.
- In the above given example, the word ‘potato’ is the object noun of the sentence.
- This is because it succeeds the main verb of the sentence which is ‘likes’.
- There is no plural marker at the end of the object noun, therefor it’s a singular noun.
Example 2- My aunt has boiled some potatoes so that she can mash them.
- In the above given example, the word ‘potatoes’ is the object noun of the sentence.
- This is because it succeeds the main verb of the sentence which is ‘boiled’.
- The ‘-es’ at the end makes it a plural noun.
Plural object noun examples
1. Teachers- The parents had to have a word with the teachers.
- In the above given example, the word ‘teachers’ is the object noun of the sentence.
- This is because it succeeds the main verb of the sentence which is ‘had to have’.
- The ‘-s’ at the end makes it a plural noun.
2. Scientists- The food company hired some scientists to formulate some recipes.
- In the above given example, the word ‘scientists’ is the object noun of the sentence.
- This is because it succeeds the main verb of the sentence which is ‘hired’.
- The ‘-s’ at the end makes it a plural noun.
3. Windows- You need to close the windows to prevent the dust from coming in.
- In the above given example, the word ‘windows’ is the object noun of the sentence.
- This is because it succeeds the main verb of the sentence which is ‘close’.
- The ‘-s’ at the end makes it a plural noun.
4. Glasses- The toddler broke all the glasses that were kept on the table.
- In the above given example, the word ‘glasses’ is the object noun of the sentence.
- This is because it succeeds the main verb of the sentence which is ‘broke’.
- The ‘-es’ at the end makes it a plural noun.
5. Pencils- We were instructed to put the pencils down as soon as the exam was over.
- In the above given example, the word ‘pencils’ is the object noun of the sentence.
- This is because it succeeds the main verb of the sentence which is ‘were instructed’.
- The ‘-s’ at the end makes it a plural noun.
6. Notes- I borrowed some notes from my friend as I missed yesterday’s lectures.
- In the above given example, the word ‘notes’ is the object noun of the sentence.
- This is because it succeeds the main verb of the sentence which is ‘borrowed’.
- The ‘-s’ at the end makes it a plural noun.
7. Watches- My cousin bought expensive watched for our whole family.
- In the above given example, the word ‘watched’ is the object noun of the sentence.
- This is because it succeeds the main verb of the sentence which is ‘bought’.
- The ‘-es’ at the end makes it a plural noun.
8. Shoes- She needs to wear her shoes, so let’s wait for her.
- In the above given example, the word ‘shoes’ is the object noun of the sentence.
- This is because it succeeds the main verb of the sentence which is ‘wear’.
- The ‘-s’ at the end makes it a plural noun.
9. Fans- The celebrity wished all the fans that were waiting outside his shoot location.
- In the above given example, the word ‘fans’ is the object noun of the sentence.
- This is because it succeeds the main verb of the sentence which is ‘wished’.
- The ‘-s’ at the end makes it a plural noun.
Singular object noun examples
1. Dress- I wanted to buy that dress but it was too expensive.
- In the above given example, the word ‘dress’ is the object noun of the sentence.
- This is because it succeeds the main verb of the sentence which is ‘buy’.
- There is no plural marker at the end of the object noun, therefor it’s a singular noun.
2. Cat- We adopted a cat pretty recently and named her Bella.
- In the above given example, the word ‘cat’ is the object noun of the sentence.
- This is because it succeeds the main verb of the sentence which is ‘adopted’.
- There is no plural marker at the end of the object noun, therefor it’s a singular noun.
3. Girl- The old lady helped the little girl cross the road.
- In the above given example, the word ‘girl’ is the object noun of the sentence.
- This is because it succeeds the main verb of the sentence which is ‘helped’.
- There is no plural marker at the end of the object noun, therefor it’s a singular noun.
4. Aunt- I need to ask my aunt for a huge favor but am too hesitant to approach her.
- In the above given example, the word ‘aunt’ is the object noun of the sentence.
- This is because it succeeds the main verb of the sentence which is ‘ask’.
- There is no plural marker at the end of the object noun, therefor it’s a singular noun.
5. Table- Our hall needs a table like this one over here.
- In the above given example, the word ‘table’ is the object noun of the sentence.
- This is because it succeeds the main verb of the sentence which is ‘needs’.
- There is no plural marker at the end of the object noun, therefor it’s a singular noun.
6. Napkin- You must clean yourself with a napkin before going out there.
- In the above given example, the word ‘napkin’ is the object noun of the sentence.
- This is because it succeeds the main verb of the sentence which is ‘clean’.
- There is no plural marker at the end of the object noun, therefor it’s a singular noun.
7. Spoon- May I please borrow a spoon from your kitchen?
- In the above given example, the word ‘spoon’ is the object noun of the sentence.
- This is because it succeeds the main verb of the sentence which is ‘borrow’.
- There is no plural marker at the end of the object noun, therefor it’s a singular noun.
8. Television- My niece has been watching television all day long.
- In the above given example, the word ‘television’ is the object noun of the sentence.
- This is because it succeeds the main verb of the sentence which is ‘has been watching’.
- There is no plural marker at the end of the object noun, therefor it’s a singular noun.
9. Lightbulb- She needs to change the lightbulb in her room since it’s broken.
- In the above given example, the word ‘lightbulb’ is the object noun of the sentence.
- This is because it succeeds the main verb of the sentence which is ‘change’.
- There is no plural marker at the end of the object noun, therefor it’s a singular noun.
Conclusion
Hence, in short, the answer to the question “Is Object Noun Plural or Singular?” is that objects nouns can be both plural as well as singular since they function just like every other noun in the English Language.
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