Nouns

Kinds of Nouns
 Definition
• A noun is a word that names a person,
place, thing, or idea.
• There are 4 broad kinds (or
categories) of nouns: common,
proper, concrete, and abstract.
• In addition, nouns may also be
singular or plural.
 Common vs. Proper
• Common-is a general name for a
person, place, thing, or idea.
• Common nouns are not usually
capitalized.
• Proper-is the name of a particular
person, place, thing, or idea.
• Proper nouns are always capitalized.
 Examples
• Common: sailor, city, holiday, book
• Proper: Captain Ahab, Rome, Memorial
Day, Treasure Island
• You try it!! Categorize these nouns.
– English -test
– math -Sarah
– girl -subjects
– letters -Mr. Jones
 Concrete vs. Abstract
• Concrete—names things that exist
physically
• Examples: sidewalk, bird, toy, rain
• Abstract—names ideas,
characteristics, or qualities
• Examples: courage, pride, goodness
 Hot Tip!!
• Concrete nouns can be seen, heard,
smelled, touched, or tasted.
• Concrete nouns also occupy space, or
can be recognized by your senses.
• Abstract nouns cannot be
experienced with your 5 senses.
• Abstract nouns are often feelings.
 Identify these nouns as
Concrete or Abstract
• People Wall
• Daughter Success
• Texas Honesty
• Policy Office
 Plural vs. Singular
• Singular—is a word that names one person,
place, thing, or idea
• Plural—names more than one person, place,
thing, or idea.
• All nouns are either singular or plural.
• Plurals are usually formed by adding -s or
–es to the singular.
• For more on spelling rules, see the spelling
rules handout.
 3 Categories
• Every noun is either
• common or proper
• concrete or abstract
• singular or plural
• Every noun is one in each category
• For example, desert is common,
concrete, AND singular
 ~Make a table!~
~Try it out!~
Noun Common Proper Singular Plural Concrete Abstract

Great
Lakes
effort

Becky

boats
 Identify the 3 categories
of these nouns
1. beaches
2. Charlie Jones
3. Kenya
4. Intention
5. Truth
*You can continue your table, if you
wish.
 Write the underlined nouns in each
sentence, and identify their 3
categories.
1. Elephants are the largest land-dwelling animals in
existence.
2. Only some varieties of whales greater in size.
3. During the 19th century, an African elephant named
Jumbo became something of a celebrity.
4. After 17 years in the London Zoo, Jumbo was bought by
P.T. Barnum and exhibited in his circus in America.
5. Wild elephants can still be seen in parts of Africa and
Asia, although hunters have killed many for their tusks.