Proper and Common Nouns Created by TEACHERS UNLEASHED

What are common nouns? A common noun is a noun that refers to a person, place, or thing. Common nouns can be in singular form (one), or plural form (more than one). Common nouns use ONLY lower case letters.

Examples of Common Nouns person  teacher place  school thing  apple

What are proper nouns? A proper noun is a SPECIFIC name of a person, place, or thing. The first letter of a proper noun ALWAYS has a capital letter.

Many nouns are considered proper nouns… Let’s take a closer look…

Names of Months and Days January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, and December Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday

Names of Companies Microsoft Nike Converse Walmart Kellogg’s

Names of People Tiger Woods Benjamin Franklin Barack Obama Albert Einstein Lady Gaga

Los Angeles, California Sunnyvale Elementary School Names of Places Los Angeles, California Sunnyvale Elementary School Great Wall of China Honeytown Park Disneyland

President George Washington General Dwight D. Eisenhower Titles of People President George Washington Dr. Henry Heimlich Ms. Oprah Winfrey Mr. Neil Armstrong General Dwight D. Eisenhower

Names of books, newspapers, plays, magazines, etc. Diary of a Wimpy Kid The New York Times Romeo and Juliet Time Magazine

Time to Practice!

Dr. Brown was reading the Boston Times, where he found an article Find the proper nouns in the sentence that need to be capitalized. Dr. Brown was reading the Boston Times, where he found an article on new bacteria. dr. brown was reading the boston times, where he found an article on new bacteria.

Sandra and Mike wanted to go to Burger King to get a hamburger. Find the proper nouns in the sentence that need to be capitalized. Sandra and Mike wanted to go to Burger King to get a hamburger. sandra and mike wanted to go to burger king to get a hamburger.

President Abraham Lincoln was shot in Ford’s Theatre in April of 1865. Find the proper nouns in the sentence that need to be capitalized. President Abraham Lincoln was shot in Ford’s Theatre in April of 1865. president abraham lincoln was shot in ford’s theatre in april of 1865.

Mrs. Cooper loves to read the story Captain Underpants to her Find the proper nouns in the sentence that need to be capitalized. Mrs. Cooper loves to read the story Captain Underpants to her students at Greenbrook Elementary. mrs. cooper loves to read the story captain underpants to her students at greenbrook elementary.

On Saturday, Julia and James are going to Hawthorn Movie Theater Find the proper nouns in the sentence that need to be capitalized. On Saturday, Julia and James are going to Hawthorn Movie Theater to see ‘Toy Story 2’. On saturday, julia and james are going to hawthorn movie theater to see ‘toy story 2’.

In June, the Mitchell family will Find the proper nouns in the sentence that need to be capitalized. In June, the Mitchell family will take a trip to Orlando, Florida to go to the amusement park, Busch Gardens. In june, the mitchell family will take a trip to orlando, florida to go to the amusement park, busch gardens.

Now that you have a better understanding of common and proper nouns, let’s see if you can handle some test questions.

Which noun below is a common noun and should start with a lowercase letter? Pepsi Sprite Dr. Pepper Soda

Which noun below is a common noun and should start with a lowercase letter? Holiday Christmas Thanksgiving Halloween

Which noun below is a common noun and should start with a lowercase letter? Sleeping Beauty Snow White Princess Cinderella

Which noun below is a common noun and should start with a lowercase letter? Library Mrs. Brower Judy Blume Scholastic Books

Which noun below is a proper noun and should be capitalized? dinosaur fossil tyrannosaurus rex caveman

Which noun below is a proper noun and should be capitalized? skateboard tony hawk wheelie half pipe

Which noun below is a proper noun and should be capitalized? alien saturn spaceship meteor

Which noun below is a proper noun and should be capitalized? tinkerbell dust fairy wand

Which proper noun is written incorrectly? Mr. Babe Ruth Cracker Jacks New York City, new york New York Yankees

Which proper noun is written incorrectly? Disneyland Mickey Mouse Anaheim, California Splash mountain

Which noun below should be capitalized because it is a proper noun? french fries double cheeseburger chocolate shake wonder burger restaurant

Which noun below should be capitalized because it is a proper noun? neil armstrong astronaut asteroid space mission

Which noun below should NOT be capitalized because it is NOT a proper noun? The White House President J.F. Kennedy Government First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy

Which noun below should NOT be capitalized because it is NOT a proper noun? R.L. Stine Mystery Goosebumps Tales of Suspense for Boys

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