A nominal in grammar refers to a word or group of words that functions as a noun. This can include single nouns, noun phrases, or even clauses that serve the role of a noun in a sentence.
For instance, in the sentence “The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog,” the phrase “The quick brown fox” is a nominal functioning as the subject of the sentence. Similarly, in the sentence “What she said surprised everyone,” the clause “What she said” acts as a nominal, serving as the subject of the verb “surprised.”
Nominals can perform various functions such as the subject, object, or complement of a sentence. They are essential in providing clarity and detail, making our communication more effective. Understanding nominals helps us to construct sentences that convey precise meanings.