1. nouns
Common, proper, singular, plural, and possessive

2. A NOUN IS A WORD THAT NAMES A PERSON, a PLACE, A THING, OR AN IDEA.
BROTHER, JUDGE, ATHLETE, TEACHER, MOTHER-IN-LAW
PERSONS
NEIGHBORHOOD, COUNTY, CITY
PLACES
BOOK, SHOE, FLOWER, PENCIL
THINGS
PRIDE, SKILL, TRUTH, DEMOCRACY, SUCCESS
IDEAS

3. COMMON Nouns
A COMMON NOUN NAMES ANY PERSON, PLACE, THING OR IDEA.

4. PROPER nouns
A PROPER NOUN NAMES A SPECIFIC PERSON, PLACE, THING, OR IDEA.
Proper nouns can be one or more words.
Proper nouns always begin with a capital letter.

5. Common Noun Proper Noun People actor singer athlete Johnny Depp
Mariah Carey
Danica Patrick
Places
building
city
river
Tower of London
Tuscon
Nile
Things
book
movie
song
Mathilda
Pirates of the Caribbean
“This Land is Your Land”

6. A singular noun names one person, place, thing, or idea.
Singular nouns
A singular noun names one person, place, thing, or idea.

7. A plural noun names more than one.
Plural nouns
A plural noun names more than one.

8. Forming Plural Nouns Nouns ending with To Form Plural Examples
-s, -ss, -zz, -ch, -sh, -x
Add -es
bus buzz box
buses buzzes boxes
-o, preceded by a vowel
Add -s
cameo studio stereo
cameos studios stereos
-o, preceded by a consonant
Usually add -es
hero potato echo
heroes potatoes echoes
Sometimes add -s
zero photo piano
zeros photos pianos
-y, preceded by a vowel
day donkey turkey
days donkeys turkeys
-f or -fe
Usually change –f to –v, and add -es
leaf life half
leaves lives halves
roof chief belief
roofs chiefs beliefs

9. Possessive Nouns
Possessive nouns are nouns that show ownership or possession.
They can be singular or plural.
It names who or what has something
Ex:
The World Cup is the amateur skiers’ competition. (plural-apostrophe is after s)
A prize is awarded for the outstanding men’s achievement. (plural-men is plural)
The women’s division also awards a prize.
(plural-women is plural)

10. Forming Possessive Nouns
To Form Possessive
Examples
Most singular nouns
Add an apostrophe and –s (‘s)
Karen has new skis.
Karen’s skis are new.
Singular nouns ending in -s
Chris got new skis last year.
Chris’s skis are in the attic.
Plural nouns ending in -s
Add an apostrophe (‘)
Many skiers wear goggles.
The skiers’ goggles are sturdy.
Plural nouns not ending in -s
The men gave warm sweaters.
The men’s sweaters are warm.

11. When you are writing, remember that possessive nouns always contain apostrophes, Plural nouns do not.

12. Distinguishing Between Possessive Nouns and Plural Nouns
Where is the athlete’s school?
Singular Possessive Noun
Where is the athletes’ school?
Plural Possessive Noun
Where are the athletes?
Plural Noun