Nouns
Definition: A noun names a person, a place, a
thing, or an idea.
Persons: architect, travelers, family
Places: restaurant, islands, Salt Lake City
Things: computer, sailboats, insects
Ideas: education, beliefs, ambition
Common and Proper Nouns
A common noun names any
one of a group of persons,
places, things, or ideas.
A proper noun names a
particular person, place,
thing, or idea.
Generally, common nouns
are not capitalized unless
they begin a sentence or
are part of a title; proper
nouns are capitalized.
Common Nouns
Proper Nouns
man
Albert Einstein
nation
Mexico
event
World War II
holiday
Memorial Day
language
English
painter
Salvador Dali
athlete
Michael Jordan
Concrete and Abstract Nouns
A concrete noun names a person, place, or
thing that can be perceived by one or more
of the senses (sight, hearing, taste, touch,
and smell).
An abstract noun names an idea, feeling, a
quality, or a characteristic.
Concrete Nouns
Fire, garlic, cotton, horses, Liberty Bell
Abstract Nouns
Self-confidence, strength, charm,
ability, Zen
Collective Nouns
The singular form of a collective noun names a
group.
Examples of collective nouns:
Audience
Bunch
Fleet
Jury
Batch
Cluster
Flock
Litter
Bouquet
Crew
Group
Pack
Brood
Family
Herd
Pod
Pride
Set
Staff
Swarm
Compound Nouns
A compound noun consists of two or more
words that together name a person, a place, a
thing, or an idea.
A compound noun may be written as one word,
as separate words, or as a hyphenated word
One word
Separate Words
Sidewalk, tablecloth, Greenland
telephone pole, Empire State Building
Hyphenated Words Daughter-in-law, great-grandfather