Here's why:
* Predicate Noun: A predicate noun renames the subject. Example: "She is a doctor." "Doctor" renames "she."
* Direct Object: A direct object receives the action of the verb. Example: "He gave her a gift." "Gift" is the direct object of "gave."
* Indirect Object: An indirect object receives the direct object. Example: "He gave her a gift." "Her" is the indirect object, receiving the "gift."
Applause is a noun that describes an action (clapping) but doesn't act as a noun in any of the grammatical roles mentioned above.
Let's see it in a sentence:
* "The audience gave applause."
* "Applause" is the object of the verb "gave." It's what the audience gave, but it doesn't rename the subject or receive the action.
To clarify the function of "applause" in a sentence, it's helpful to consider the entire sentence structure.