Nouns

A noun is a word which refers to a person, place, thing, or idea. There are several different types of nouns: Common and proper nouns. Concrete and abstract nouns. Collective & compound nouns.

Noun categories overlap, and it is possible for a noun to be more than one. For example, the noun dog is common and concrete. The noun butterfly is common, concrete, and compound.

Common & Proper Nouns Common Nouns: Refer to something that is not unique and has no defining characteristics. EX: desk, chair Proper Nouns: Refers to a unique person, place, thing, or idea; that has defining characteristics. They are always written with the first letter capitalized. EX: Heather Brock

Concrete & Abstract Nouns Concrete Nouns: Can be perceived by at least one of the five senses (sight, hearing, smell, touch, taste). EX: Chair, John Abstract Nouns: Cannot be perceived by any of the five senses. They are usually emotions, ideals, or concepts. EX: Freedom, love, sadness.

Collective & Compound Nouns Collective Nouns: Refers to a single noun that indicates or refers to more than one. EX: Family, team, club Compound Noun: A single noun formed by two or more words. They can be together, separate, or divided by hyphen (-). EX: Butterfly, Christmas tree, mother-in-law

Try Your Luck! What types of nouns is the following example? Kansas City Compound & proper Abstract & collective Common & concrete

Let’s try another one! Family Abstract & collective Concrete & collective Common & compound

Practice Exercises Identify the following nouns as common or proper. Car Dog William Mall France Cheetos House Clothes Mother New York

Identify the following nouns as concrete or abstract. Table Hate Keys Snow Courtesy Boredom Pen Chicago Music Wood

Identify the following nouns as collective or compound. New York City grizzly bear gang man-at-arms strawberry band city freshman circus school