The Nominal Group: An Introduction (For Undergraduates)

The nominal group (NG) is the name given to any word or group of words that can perform the following functions in a sentence: 

i. Subject

ii. Object [Direct & Indirect]

iii. Complement [Subject & Object]

That definition is very important as you will later find out that adjectives can sometimes function as a Nominal Group. 

In other words, once you have identified a subject in a sentence, you have identified a nominal group. If in the same sentence, you also identify an object, you have identified another nominal group; and if in the same sentence, you can identify a complement, that is another nominal group.  

Are you asking if is it possible to have a subject, an object and a complement at the same time in a sentence? Yes, it is possible! Let's consider an example. 

He composed the anthem himself. 

S          V                  O                 C

From the example above, it means that there can be more than one nominal group in a sentence. How? Because, we have earlier stated, a word or a group of words that can function as subject, object, or complement is a nominal group (NG, henceforth).  

A quick question to then ask is: In our example He composed the anthem himself how many NGs are there?  

He composed the anthem himself. 

S          V                  O                 C

NG                         NG              NG

So, the answer to our question is: Three! You can now go ahead to list them: He, the anthem, himself. 

Let's also quickly determine the number of NGs that we have in the following sentences. 

My mom was at the party yesterday.

         S        V           A                 A

 

Jide is the chairman of the company. 

  S    V                      C

In the first example there is just one NG—My mom. Don't forget how we arrived at this answer. It is only the NG that can function as subject, object, and complement. 

In the second example, there are two NGs—Jide and the chairman of the company. 

The question may now arise: But how can I identify the subject, object, and complement in a sentence. That will be adequately dealt with in subsequent posts. 

http://olabanjititles.blogspot.com/2020/05/how-to-identify-subject-i.html?m=1

However, in the next post, my focus shall be on how to identify the NG in a sentence. 

For questions, comments and any other enquiries, the blogger, Olabanji O. Odurombi, can be contacted on 08037699294 (SMS, Voice call, or WhatsApp).