Types of Nouns

1. Common Nouns
Common nouns are used to refer to general things rather than specific. Common nouns
are not normally capitalized unless they are used as part of a proper name or are
placed at the beginning of a sentence. Some common noun examples are included in
the following sentences.
• Be sure to pick a top university.
• Stack those boxes carefully.
• Would you like a cookie with your coffee?
• People are strange.
• My dog won’t stop barking

2. Proper Nouns
Proper nouns have two distinct features: They name specific one-of-a-kind items, and
they begin with capital letters, no matter where they occur in a sentence. For example,
• Max was born in Australia. (There is no other country named Australia; this name is
fixed for only one country).
• He goes for a walk by the river every Monday.
• He has a dog named Poppy.

3. Concrete Nouns
• Concrete nouns are simply those nouns that can be experienced physically rather
than abstractly such as chair, house, or automobile. Some concrete noun examples
are included in the following sentences.
• Would someone please answer the phone?

• Mr. James is fond of rainbows.

• Please remember to buy oranges.
• Have a seat in that chair.

(Note: Notice that concrete nouns can also be countable, uncountable, common,
proper, and collective nouns.)

4. Abstract Nouns

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 Abstract nouns are intangible ideas. They’re not things people can see, smell, or touch.
Common examples include emotions, social concepts, ideas, and character traits
e.g., love, creativity, anger, democracy, kindness, freedom, justice, faithfulness,
optimism, childhood etc.
• Success seems to come easily to certain people.
• His hatred of people smoking indoors is legendary.
• She has an incredible love for nature.
• This is of great importance.
• He received an award for his bravery.

5. Collective Noun
A collective noun is a word that refers to a group. It can either be singular or plural but is
usually used in the singular. Some collective noun examples are included in the
following sentences.
• Choir, team, jury, cabinet, regiment, team, crowd, family, cattle, etc.
• Our team is enjoying an unbroken winning streak.
• There’s a pack of hyenas outside.
• Watch out for that swarm of bees.
• You haven’t lived until you’ve seen a herd of wild horses.
• Our class graduates two years from now.

6. Countable Nouns
Anything that can be counted, whether singular – a dog, a house, a friend, etc. or plural
– a few books, lots of oranges, etc. is a countable noun.
• There are at least twenty Italian restaurants in Little Italy.
• Maryam took a lot of photographs when she went to the Grand Canyon.
• Your book is on the kitchen table.
• How many candles are on that birthday cake?
• You have several paintings to study in art appreciation class.

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7. Uncountable Nouns
Uncountable nouns are nouns that come in a state or quantity that is impossible to
count. They do not regularly have a plural form therefore singular verbs are used with
uncountable nouns.
• There is no more water in the pond.
• Please help yourself to some cheese.
• I need to find information about the Prize winners.
• You seem to have a high level of intelligence.
• Please take good care of your equipment.
• Let’s get rid of the garbage.

8. Compound Nouns
Some nouns consist of more than one word. These are compound nouns. Many
compound nouns are written as one word, but some are written with hyphens or spaces
• I love watching fireflies on warm summer nights.
• Let’s just wait at this bus stop.
• While you’re at the store, please pick up some toothpaste and some egg rolls.
• Let’s watch the full moon come up over the mountain.
• Please erase the blackboard for me.
• Be sure to add bleach to the washing machine.
• Let’s be sure to stay somewhere with a swimming pool.
• He always gets up before sunrise.
• I really could use an updated hairstyle.
• Checkout is at noon.
• Please remember to schedule your dog’s annual check-up.
• My mother-in-law is the kindest person I know.

9. Material Nouns

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 Material nouns refer to materials or substances from which things are made such
as silver, gold, iron, cotton, diamond and plastic. Let's take the word "cotton.
Cotton is a material noun when used to describe the crop. For example:
• We use cotton from a local farm in our shirts.
(Note: Cotton is an adjective when used in "cotton dress."

Kinds of Nouns According to Gender

1. Masculine Gender:
A noun that denotes a male is of the masculine gender.
For example, lion, nephew, actor, drake, father, etc.
2. Feminine Gender:
A noun that denotes a female is of the feminine gender.
For example, lioness, niece, actress, duck, mother, etc.
3. Common Gender:
A noun that denotes either male or female is of the common gender.
For example, parent, child, orphan, cousin, friend, doctor, teacher,
student etc.
4. Neuter Gender:
A noun that denotes neither male nor female and is used for
inanimate/lifeless objects is of neuter gender.
For example, book, house, pen, room, chair, etc.

Kinds of Nouns According to Number

1. Singular Number:
It denotes one person place or thing.
For example, ball, cup, park, city, bird, tree, etc.

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2. Plural Number:
It denotes more than one person place or thing.
For example, balls, cups, parks, cities, birds, trees, etc.

Kinds of Nouns According to Case

1. Subjective / Nominative Case:
When the noun is used as the subject of the verb, it is in the subjective /
nominative case. For example:
 John threw a stone
 On the final day, all students submitted their assignments.
The scientist looked out of the window.
2. Objective / Accusative Case:
When the noun is used as the object of the verb, it is in the objective /
accusative case. For example:
 We called police for help.
 I love chocolate.
3. Possessive / Genitive Case:
When a noun shows ownership or possession, it is in the possessive /
genitive case. For example:
 This is my mother’s umbrella.
 There is a children’s playground.

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