is the word homework a common noun

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homework noun

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What does the noun homework mean?

There are three meanings listed in OED's entry for the noun homework . See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.

How common is the noun homework ?

How is the noun homework pronounced, british english, u.s. english, where does the noun homework come from.

Earliest known use

The earliest known use of the noun homework is in the mid 1600s.

OED's earliest evidence for homework is from 1653, in the writing of Edmund Chillenden, parliamentarian army officer and General Baptist leader.

homework is formed within English, by compounding.

Etymons: home n. 1 , work n.

Nearby entries

• homeward-bounder, n. 1837–
• homeward-bound pennant, n. 1853–
• homewardly, adv. 1797–
• homewards, adv. & adj. Old English–
• homeware, n. 1782–
• home waters, n. 1838–
• home wear, n. 1836–
• home-whining, n. a1657
• home wind, n. 1732–
• home-woe, n. 1838–
• homework, n. 1653–
• homework club, n. 1900–
• homework diary, n. 1973–
• homeworker, n. 1843–
• homeworking, n. 1844–
• home-working, adj. 1850–
• home worship, n. 1849–
• homewort, n. Old English–
• home-wreck, n. 1845–
• home-wrecker, n. 1878–
• home-wrecking, n. 1878–

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Meaning & use

Pronunciation, compounds & derived words, entry history for homework, n..

homework, n. was revised in September 2011.

homework, n. was last modified in September 2023.

oed.com is a living text, updated every three months. Modifications may include:

• further revisions to definitions, pronunciation, etymology, headwords, variant spellings, quotations, and dates;
• new senses, phrases, and quotations.

Revisions and additions of this kind were last incorporated into homework, n. in September 2023.

Earlier versions of this entry were published in:

A Supplement to the New English Dictionary (1933)

• Find out more

OED Second Edition (1989)

• View homework in OED Second Edition

Please submit your feedback for homework, n.

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Citation details

Factsheet for homework, n., browse entry.

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Definition of homework noun from the Oxford Advanced American Dictionary

• acquire/get/lack experience/training/(an) education
• receive/provide somebody with training
• develop/design/plan a curriculum/course/program/syllabus
• give/go to/attend a class/lesson/lecture/seminar
• hold/run/conduct a class/seminar/workshop
• moderate/lead/facilitate a discussion
• sign up for/take a course/classes/lessons
• go to/start preschool/kindergarten/nursery school
• be in the first, second, etc. grade (at school)
• study/take/drop history/chemistry/German, etc.
• finish/drop out of/quit school
• graduate from high school/college
• be the victim/target of bullying/teasing
• skip/cut/ ( informal ) ditch class/school
• cheat on an exam/a test
• get/be given a detention (for doing something)
• be expelled from/be suspended from school
• do your homework/a project on something
• work on/write/do/submit an essay/a dissertation/a thesis/an assignment/a paper
• finish/complete your dissertation/thesis/studies
• hand in/turn in your homework/essay/assignment/paper
• study/prepare/review/ ( informal ) cram for a test/an exam
• take/ ( formal ) sit for a test/an exam
• grade homework/a test
• do well on/ ( informal ) ace a test/an exam
• pass/fail/ ( informal ) flunk a test/an exam/a class/a course/a subject
• apply to/get into/go to/start college
• leave/graduate from college (with a degree in computer science)/law school
• study for/work towards a law degree/a degree in physics
• major/minor in biology/philosophy
• earn/receive/be awarded/get/have/hold a master's degree/a bachelor's degree/a Ph.D. in economics

Questions about grammar and vocabulary?

Find the answers with Practical English Usage online, your indispensable guide to problems in English.

• 2 ( informal ) work that someone does to prepare for something You could tell that he had really done his homework (= found out all he needed to know) .

Nearby words

Is homework a common noun

Yes, the noun 'homework' is a common noun, a word for any kind of homework or anyone.

A proper noun is the name of a specific person, place, or thing: Shakespeare , Brazil , Coca Cola. Yes, homework is a common noun.

Anonymous ∙

Add your answer:

What type of noun is the word homework?

The noun 'homework' is a common, compound, abstract, uncountable noun; a word for a form of study or preparation; a word for a concept.

Is homework an abstract uncountable noun?

No, the noun 'homework' is simply a common, compound, abstract noun, a word for a thing.A collective noun is a word used to group people or things taken together as one whole. The collective noun for homework is a slew of homework.The noun 'homework' is an uncountable noun called an aggregate noun, a word representing an indefinite number of elements or parts.

What is the plural form of the word homework?

The collective noun for the noun 'homework' is a slew of homework.

Is homework a noun or a verb?

Homework is a noun. Ex:I am doing my homework.Go do your homework.You have homework tonight.It is a noun because it is a thing YEY.

What type of speech is homework?

Homework is a noun.

Is homework common noun?

Yes, the noun 'homework' is a common noun, a word for any kind of homework or anyone.A proper noun is the name of a specific person, place, or thing: Shakespeare, Brazil, Coca Cola.Yes, homework is a common noun.

Is Homework noun?

Is homework a action verb.

No, homework is not a verb. The word homework is a noun, an uncountable, common, compound, abstract noun, a word for a thing.

Is the word homework a noun?

Yes, the word homework is a noun, a common, uncountable, noun; a word for work assigned to do at home, a word for a thing.The definition of noun is a person, place, thing, or idea; HOMEWORK falls into the category of thing.

What is the collective for homework?

Is a girl a common a proper noun.

The noun "girl's" is a singular, common, concrete, possessive noun.A singular noun, a word for one girl.A common noun, a general word for any young, female, human.A concrete noun, a word for a physical person that can be seen, heard, touched.The apostrophe -s added to the end of the noun indicates that something in the sentence belongs to a girl.Example: The girl's homework is always on time. (the homework of the girl)

Is girl's a common proper collective abstract noun?

Why homework is uncountable.

The noun 'homework' is an uncountable noun because it's a form of aggregate noun, a word representing an indefinite number of elements or parts.Units of homework are expressed in amounts, such as some homework, a lot of homework, too much homework, etc.

Top Categories

Common and Proper Nouns: Definition, Examples, & Exercises

• The Albert Team
• Last Updated On: March 1, 2022

Do you get confused about the difference between a common noun and a proper noun? Would practice help you become a master? 

Read on to learn about the difference between common and proper nouns, how they are used, and when to use them. 

When you feel like you’ve got it, test yourself with a quiz and practice with our high-quality, standards-aligned questions here . 

What We Review

The Basics of Common and Proper Nouns

What is a common noun?

A common noun is the general, non-specific term for a person, place, thing, or idea. Usually, common nouns are not capitalized unless they begin a sentence. 

For example, as you work on your homework, think about the things you are using. You might be using a computer, a textbook, or a pencil. All of these are generic items that we encounter on a regular basis and are common nouns . 

What is a proper noun?

A proper noun is a specific, unique person, place, thing, or idea. Unlike common nouns, proper nouns are almost always capitalized . This is true whether they begin a sentence or not. 

Let’s consider the same example from above, but instead, now we will be more specific about the resources necessary to complete your homework. 

As you work, you may be using a Pearson Algebra 1 textbook, a Google Chromebook, and a Ticonderoga pencil. You are better able to visualize this scenario if proper nouns are provided since they are more specific and unique. 

What is the relationship between common and proper nouns? 

Common and proper nouns are closely related. The most straightforward way of understanding the relationship between common and proper nouns is to think about proper nouns as specific examples of common nouns. 

For example, the word building is a common noun. Examples of buildings include The White House, The Art Institute of Chicago, and Memorial Hall at Harvard University. 

These examples are all proper nouns since they are specific, unique examples of the common noun building . Generally, we can more vividly picture or understand a text when the author uses examples of proper nouns since there is less room for interpretation. 

How do you use common and proper nouns? 

Common and proper nouns can be used in relation to each other or separately. Typically, authors use common nouns when they are describing something broad or ambiguous. 

Proper nouns are used to describe a person, place, thing, or idea that is specific and concrete. Common and proper nouns are often used together in sentences. 

Take the following sentence as an example: The doctor worked long hours at Memorial Hospital to help contain the spread of the common cold. 

In this sentence, we see examples of common nouns, such as doctor, hours, and common cold. Additionally, the sentence has an example of a proper noun– Memorial Hospital. 

If the sentence were not to name the hospital specifically, then it would have remained a common noun (hospital). 

Return to the top

3 Tips for Understanding Common vs. Proper Nouns

Here are some important tips to help you determine the difference between common and proper nouns:

Tip #1: If it’s a noun and it’s capitalized, then it’s probably a proper noun . 

• For example, book is a generic common noun. 
• The Scarlet Letter is a specific book and, as a result, is a proper noun. 
• For example, Lampshades come in many different colors, varieties, and shapes . Even though lampshades is capitalized in this sentence, it is not a specific brand or size of lampshade. 
• Lampshade is capitalized because it begins the sentence, not because it is a proper noun. 

Tip #2: Make sure it’s a noun. 

• Do not rely solely on the capitalization of words to determine whether or not the word (or words) in question is a common or proper noun. 
• For example, consider the following sentence: It can be difficult for young people to read complicated, Shakespearian language. At first glance, you may quickly classify Shakespearian as a proper noun. Upon further inspection, however, Shakespearian merely describes the common noun language . 
• Therefore, in this instance, Shakespearian is NOT a proper noun even though it is capitalized. Instead, it is a proper adjective. 

Tip #3: When writing, ask yourself, “what message am I trying to communicate?”

• If you are using common and proper nouns in your own writing, it is important to consider what it is that you want the reader to take away from your writing. 
• If you are trying to paint a clear, vivid picture for the reader, then it is important to use more proper nouns. 
• However, if you are attempting to create a more general, vague scene, then using more common nouns is appropriate. 

Remember, if you are trying to figure out whether a word is a common or proper noun, ask yourself if the word in question is a noun and whether or not it’s capitalized. 

If you are writing, ask yourself what message you are trying to communicate before using common or proper nouns. 

Applying the Basics: Common and Proper Noun Review & Practice

Now that you understand what common and proper nouns are, let’s review how and when to use them, and how to tell them apart! Remember, every proper noun has a common noun counterpart, but not every common noun has a related proper noun. 

The Ultimate List of Common and Proper Nouns

Refer to the graphic below for an extensive list of example common and proper nouns:

This list, obviously, does not include all common and proper nouns and is meant to be used as a guide while identifying other nouns. 

Common Noun Exercises & Review

Now that you know the difference between common and proper nouns, test your ability to accurately identify common nouns. 

Select the common noun(s) in the sentences below. Remember, these are generic items that we encounter on a regular basis. They are not capitalized unless they begin a sentence.

1. You’ve probably used Google Earth to look at the roof of your own house.

• In this sentence, roof and house are both common nouns because they are not specific names or titles. They are just general, making them common nouns.

2. In New York City, for example, subways chug along 500 miles of underground track. 

• In this sentence , example, subways, miles, and track are common nouns because they are not specific names or titles. They are just general, making them common nouns.

3. Some people argue that the government should control what goes on underground, and private companies should not be able to profit from the land beneath your house.

• In this sentence , people, government, underground, companies, land , and house are all common nouns because they are not specific names or titles. They are just general, making them common nouns.

4. How would you feel about a public road going under your porch?

• In this sentence, road and porch are common nouns because they are not specific names or titles. They are just general, making them common nouns.

5. The way we answer these questions will help determine how our society grows and changes in the future.  

• In this sentence, way, questions, society , and future are all common nouns because they are not specific names or titles. They are just general, making them common nouns.

Pro tip : When evaluating whether a noun is common, ask yourself, “Is it general, and is it in lower case?”

Proper Noun Exercises & Review

Complete the quick exercise below to assess your mastery of proper nouns. 

Select the proper noun(s) in the sentences below. Remember, a proper noun is a specific, unique person, place, thing, or idea. Unlike common nouns, proper nouns are almost always capitalized . This is true whether they begin a sentence or not. 

1. In 1890, long before your great-grandparents were born, the U.S. Congress established Yosemite National Park.

In this sentence, U.S Congress and Yosemite National Park are proper nouns because they are specific names or titles. When a noun is specific like this, it is proper and must be capitalized.

2. Before becoming a national park, the Yosemite area was home to the Ahwahneechee and Miwok people for many generations.

In this sentence, Yosemite, Ahwahneechee, and Miwok are proper nouns because they are specific names or titles. When a noun is specific like this, it is proper and must be capitalized.

3. Disney’s “Pocahontas” has a similar happy tone, but the actual life of Pocahontas was more interesting than what we saw on screen.

In this sentence, Disney’s and Pocahontas are proper nouns because they are specific names or titles. When a noun is specific like this, it is proper and must be capitalized.

4. Pocahontas was born around 1595 in modern-day Virginia.

In this sentence, Pocahontas and Virginia are proper nouns because they are specific names or titles. When a noun is specific like this, it is proper and must be capitalized.

5. Heralded as an example of the possibilities in the “New World”, Pocahontas and John Rolfe traveled to England with their son in 1616.

In this sentence, New World, Pocahontas, John Rolfe, and England are all proper nouns because they are specific names or titles. When a noun is specific like this, it is proper and must be capitalized.

Pro tip : When evaluating whether a noun is proper, ask yourself, “Is it specific, and is it capitalized?”

For additional practice, check out Common and Proper Nouns content on Albert.

Try for Yourself: Common and Proper Nouns Quiz

Feeling confident in your understanding of common and proper nouns? 

Take this short six-question quiz to see what you’ve learned:

1. Is a common noun general or specific?

• Answer: General
• Correct Explanation: That’s right! A common noun is the general, non-specific term for a person, place, thing, or idea. Usually, common nouns are not capitalized unless they begin a sentence. 
• Incorrect Explanation: Sorry, that’s not right! Remember, a common noun is the general, non-specific term for a person, place, thing, or idea. Usually, common nouns are not capitalized unless they begin a sentence. 

2. Is a proper noun general or specific?

• Answer: Specific
• Correct Explanation: That’s right! A proper noun is a specific, unique person, place, thing, or idea. Unlike common nouns, proper nouns are almost always capitalized .
• Incorrect Explanation: Sorry, that’s not right! Remember, a proper noun is a specific, unique person, place, thing, or idea. Unlike common nouns, proper nouns are almost always capitalized .

3. In this sentence, are the underlined words common or proper nouns ?

Adolescent brains are constantly rewiring and retraining to prune skills that are not being used to make room for the skills being used often. 

• Answer: Common
• Correct Explanation: That’s right! A common noun is the general, non-specific term for a person, place, thing, or idea. Usually, common nouns are not capitalized unless they begin a sentence. Brains, skills, room, and skills are not capitalized in this example.

4. In this sentence, are the underlined words common or proper nouns ?

We enter our REM stage within the first 90 minutes of sleep and repeat this cycle several times throughout the night.

• Correct Explanation: That’s right! A common noun is the general, non-specific term for a person, place, thing, or idea. Usually, common nouns are not capitalized unless they begin a sentence. In this example, stage, sleep, repeat, times, and night are all general common nouns.

5. In this sentence, are the underlined words common or proper nouns ?

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, plastic litter is of the greatest concern as it has the most widespread and harmful impacts on animal populations.

• Answer: Proper
• Correct Explanation: That’s right! A proper noun is a specific, unique person, place, thing, or idea. Unlike common nouns, proper nouns are almost always capitalized . In this example, the Environmental Protection Agency refers to a specific government entity.

6. In this sentence, are the underlined words common or proper nouns ?

What does NASA’s space program cost each of the 328 million people that currently live in the USA?

• Correct Explanation: That’s right! A proper noun is a specific, unique person, place, thing, or idea. Unlike common nouns, proper nouns are almost always capitalized . In this example, NASA and USA refer to a specific organization and nation.

For additional practice with common and proper nouns, check out our practice on Albert.io: Common and Proper Nouns .

Teacher’s Corner

While it’s true that common and proper nouns are a foundational grammar skill, the Common Core English Language Progressive Skills Chart shows that even elementary-level skills “require continued attention in higher grades as they are applied to increasingly sophisticated writing and speaking.” 

For specific standards addressing common and proper nouns, check out the Common Core State Standards site! 

Albert’s common and proper nouns practice can be used for much more than homework! Our assessments can be used as pre-and post-tests to measure student progress. Our pre-made quizzes can be used as bell-ringers, exit tickets, and more! 

In addition to our pre-made assessments, you can also use our assignments feature to create your own quizzes and assessments.

Summary on Common and Proper Nouns

Common nouns are general, non-specific people, places, things, or ideas. 

Proper nouns are specific, concrete people, places, things, and ideas.

In writing, proper nouns generally provide the reader with a more clear, tangible image of what the author describes. 

Common and proper nouns can be used in tandem with one another or separately. Be sure to check out our grammar course for more common and proper noun practice. 

You can also access over 3,400 high-quality questions that address nearly every grammatical concept. 

Need help preparing for your Grammar exam?

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Common Nouns

What are common nouns.

Table of Contents

Examples of Common Nouns and Proper Nouns

"find the common noun" test, real-life examples of common nouns, categories of common noun, video lesson, why common nouns are important.

Can You Identify Common Nouns ?

• I've been in a lot of castles , and they're pretty gloomy. However, I love Windsor Castle . (Author Tracie Peterson)
• With members all around the globe , the Flat Earth Society believes the Earth is flat and horizontally infinite.
• Turkeys aren't from Turkey , but there are lots of turkeys in Turkey .

Are you a visual learner? Do you prefer video to text? Here is a list of all our grammar videos .

(Point 1) A common noun is not written with a capital letter unless it starts a sentence.

(Point 2) Write the seasons with lowercase letters.

(Point 3) Write the points of the compass with lowercase letters.

• I live in The East .
• How well the area is defined? (consider South Africa (well defined) and southern Africa (not well defined))
• How common is the term?
• What would your readers expect?
• How does each version look aesthetically when written?

(Point 4) Write the Sun and the Moon with capital letters.

• I'm going to take the dog for a walk. Where is Dog's lead?

(Point 5) Write terms like Director and Claims Department with capital letters if they refer to specific people or departments.

• Don't give a word a capital letter just because it's an important word in your sentence.
• The seasons and the points of the compass are written with lowercase letters (unless they're part of a name, i.e., part of a proper noun).
• Our sun and moon are called The Sun and The Moon , which complicates things. This'll help (most of the time): If they're preceded by the word the , give them a capital letter.
• With terms like Mum , Director , and Finance Department , use capital letters when they refer to specific people or offices.

This page was written by Craig Shrives .

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Applied Grammar by Gail Brubaker

What is a Common Noun? Definition, Examples & Usage

Are you curious about the building blocks of language? Do you ever wonder what makes a noun common? Look no further! In this text, we will investigate into the world of common nouns, exploring their definition and providing you with examples that will help you grasp their significance in the English language.

Common nouns are the unsung heroes of our everyday conversations. Unlike proper nouns that refer to specific people, places, or things, common nouns are more general and encompass a wide range of individuals, objects, and concepts. They are the workhorses of our language, allowing us to communicate effectively without getting bogged down in specific details.

From countable nouns that can be easily quantified, to uncountable nouns that cannot be divided into separate elements, we will explore the different types of common nouns. We will also take a closer look at collective nouns that refer to groups, concrete nouns that can be perceived through our senses, and abstract nouns that represent ideas and qualities.

Key Takeaways

• Common nouns encompass a wide range of individuals, objects, and concepts, and are more general compared to proper nouns.
• Common nouns are essential for effective communication, as they are commonly used in everyday speech and writing.
• Examples of common nouns include person (teacher, student), place (city, park), thing (table, book), and idea (love, happiness).
• Common nouns can be used as subjects, objects, or complements in sentences.
• It is important to distinguish between common and proper nouns, as proper nouns refer to specific individuals, places, or things.
• Common nouns can be further categorized into concrete (perceptible through the senses) and abstract (emotions, qualities, ideas).
• Common nouns can be singular or plural, and there are rules for forming the plural of singular nouns.
• Proper nouns, on the other hand, are specific and unique and are almost always capitalized.
• Understanding the distinction between proper nouns and common nouns is crucial for constructing grammatically correct sentences and effective communication.

What is a Common Noun?

Common nouns are an essential part of the English language and are used to classify a wide range of individuals, objects, and concepts. They serve as general terms that encompass a group or category rather than specifying a particular entity. Understanding common nouns is crucial for effective communication, as they are commonly used in everyday speech and writing. Let’s dive deeper into the definition, examples, and usage of common nouns.

Definition of Common Nouns

A common noun is a word that refers to a general person, place, thing, or idea. Unlike proper nouns, which name specific individuals or entities, common nouns do not require capitalization. They represent a broad category or group in which many entities can be included.

Examples of Common Nouns

Here are some common nouns that illustrate their wide scope:

• Person: teacher, student, doctor
• Place: city, park, school
• Thing: table, book, car
• Idea: love, happiness, knowledge

Using Common Nouns in Sentences

Common nouns play a vital role in constructing sentences. They can be used as subjects, objects, or complements. Here are a few examples that demonstrate how common nouns are used in sentences:

• The cat is sleeping on the couch. (Subject)
• She gave me a book for my birthday. (Object)
• The color of the sky is blue . (Complement)

Distinction between Common and Proper Nouns

Differentiating between common and proper nouns is crucial for accurate communication. While common nouns refer to general categories, proper nouns specify particular individuals, places, or things. For example:

• Common noun: I saw a dog in the park.
• Proper noun: I saw Rover in the park.

In the above example, “dog” is a common noun representing any canine, while “Rover” is a proper noun, referring to a specific dog.

Understanding common nouns is essential for effective communication in the English language. They allow us to refer to general categories of people, places, things, and ideas. By using common nouns correctly, you can convey your thoughts with precision and clarity. So, keep practicing and incorporating common nouns in your speech and writing to enhance your language skills.

Definition of a Common Noun

When it comes to understanding the English language, common nouns play a vital role. They are the general terms we use to refer to a wide range of individuals, objects, places, and ideas. In this section, we will investigate deeper into the characteristics of a common noun and provide you with some examples to help solidify your understanding.

Characteristics of a Common Noun

Here are some key characteristics that define a common noun:

• Generic : Common nouns are general and non-specific. They represent a broad category rather than a specific individual or thing. For example, when we say “dog,” we are referring to the general concept of a dog, not a particular dog.
• Frequent : The term “common” in common noun hints at its widespread occurrence in language. Common nouns are used frequently and can be found in countless instances of communication.
• Capitalize start of sentence : Unlike proper nouns, common nouns are typically not capitalized unless they are at the beginning of a sentence. This is an important rule to keep in mind when writing.

To further illustrate the concept of common nouns, here are some examples:

• Person : teacher, student, doctor
• Place : city, park, restaurant
• Thing : book, table, car
• Idea : happiness, love, freedom

It’s important to remember, these examples represent general terms that can be applied to a wide range of individuals, objects, places, and concepts. Common nouns allow us to communicate efficiently and effectively by using shared language.

By recognizing the characteristics and examples of common nouns, you can enhance your writing and communication skills. Utilizing common nouns correctly helps ensure clear and concise expression, allowing you to convey your message to others in a way they can easily understand.

In the next sections, we will explore the usage of common nouns in sentences and discuss the distinction between common and proper nouns. Stay tuned for more valuable insights on this fundamental aspect of the English language.

Types of Common Nouns

In the English language, common nouns can be further categorized into different types based on their characteristics. Understanding these types can help you effectively communicate and express yourself. In this section, we will explore two main types of common nouns: concrete and abstract .

Concrete Common Nouns

Concrete common nouns refer to things that can be perceived through the five senses – sight, hearing, touch, taste, and smell. These nouns represent physical objects, whether they are living beings or inanimate objects. Here are some examples of concrete common nouns:

• Person : teacher, doctor, friend
• Animal : dog, cat, bird
• Place : city, park, school
• Thing : car, computer, table

Concrete common nouns play a vital role in describing the tangible world around us. They enable us to communicate specific details and vivid descriptions. When using concrete common nouns, we can paint a picture in the reader’s mind, making our writing more engaging and relatable.

Abstract Common Nouns

Abstract common nouns, on the other hand, represent concepts, qualities, states, or ideas that cannot be physically perceived. These nouns refer to emotions, thoughts, characteristics, and intangible aspects of life. Examples of abstract common nouns include:

• Emotion : love, happiness, fear
• Quality : honesty, intelligence, beauty
• State : calmness, excitement, sadness
• Idea : freedom, justice, democracy

Abstract common nouns are essential for expressing emotions, discussing ideas, and conveying intangible concepts. They allow us to investigate into the depths of human experiences and explore the complexities of the human mind.

Understanding the distinction between concrete and abstract common nouns is crucial for effective communication. By using concrete common nouns, we can create vivid descriptions and bring our writing to life. Meanwhile, abstract common nouns help us discuss ideas, emotions, and themes that can’t be physically perceived. Mastery of both types of common nouns enhances your language skills and opens up new possibilities for expression.

In the next section, we will investigate into the other types of common nouns, including countable, uncountable, and collective nouns. So, let’s continue our exploration of the intriguing area of common nouns.

Remember, mastering the different types of common nouns will enhance your language skills and allow you to communicate more effectively. So, let’s dive deeper into the world of common nouns and explore additional categories in the next section.

Singular and Plural Common Nouns

When discussing common nouns, it is important to understand that they can be both singular and plural. Singular common nouns refer to a single person, place, thing, or idea. On the other hand, plural common nouns indicate more than one of these entities.

Here are some key points to help you understand singular and plural common nouns:

Singular common nouns:.

• Singular common nouns refer to one individual, object, or concept.
• They are typically used when we are referring to a single entity in a sentence.
• Examples of singular common nouns include “dog,” “desk,” and “love.”
• Singular common nouns are used with singular verbs. For example, “The dog is barking.”

Plural Common Nouns:

• Plural common nouns refer to more than one person, place, thing, or idea.
• They are used when we are talking about multiple entities.
• Examples of plural common nouns include “dogs,” “desks,” and “loves.”
• Plural common nouns are used with plural verbs. For example, “The dogs are barking.”
• There are different rules for forming plural common nouns, depending on the ending of the singular noun.
• Here are some common rules:
• Add “s” to the end of a singular common noun that ends in a consonant. For example, “cat” becomes “cats.”
• Remove the “y” at the end of a singular common noun that ends in a consonant and add “ies.” For example, “story” becomes “stories.”
• For singular common nouns that end in s, ch, sh, x, or z, add “es” to form the plural. For example, “box” becomes “boxes.”
• Some singular common nouns undergo irregular changes, such as changing the spelling entirely, like “man” becoming “men,” or “child” becoming “children.”

Understanding the distinction between singular and plural common nouns is essential for constructing grammatically correct sentences and effectively conveying your message. By using these language rules, you can ensure that your nouns are correctly matched with their corresponding verbs, making your writing clearer and more professional.

Rather than providing a conclusion, it’s important to emphasize the significance of understanding and properly using singular and plural common nouns.

Proper Nouns vs. Common Nouns

In the English language, there are two broad categories of nouns: proper nouns and common nouns. Understanding the distinction between these two types of nouns is important for constructing grammatically correct sentences and effectively conveying messages. Let’s explore the characteristics and differences between proper nouns and common nouns.

• Proper Noun: A proper noun is a specific and unique person, place, thing, or idea that is almost always capitalized. It refers to a particular individual, organization, location, or title. Examples include names of people (e.g., John, Mary), places (e.g., New York, Paris), organizations (e.g., NASA, Environmental Protection Agency), and titles (e.g., President, CEO).
• Common Noun: A common noun, on the other hand, is a general term that encompasses a wide range of individuals, objects, and concepts. It is not capitalized unless it appears at the beginning of a sentence. Common nouns include generic terms for people (e.g., teacher, doctor), places (e.g., city, park), things (e.g., table, car), and ideas (e.g., democracy, happiness).

Characteristics

• Capitalization: Proper nouns are almost always capitalized, while common nouns are not unless at the beginning of a sentence.
• Specificity: Proper nouns refer to specific individuals, places, or things, whereas common nouns are general terms.
• Uniqueness: Proper nouns are unique and identify a particular entity, while common nouns can refer to multiple entities within a category.

Proper nouns and common nouns play different roles in sentences. Proper nouns are often used as subjects, objects, or complements, while common nouns provide general context and describe the actions or qualities of proper nouns.

Understanding the distinction between proper nouns and common nouns helps ensure clarity in writing and effective communication. By using proper nouns, we can convey specific information and avoid ambiguity.

In the next section, we will explore some examples to further illustrate the concept of proper nouns and common nouns.

Now that you have a clear understanding of common nouns and their significance in the English language, you can confidently use them in your writing. Common nouns are general terms that encompass a wide range of individuals, objects, and concepts. They provide the context and describe the actions or qualities of proper nouns.

By recognizing the distinction between common nouns and proper nouns, you can ensure clarity in your writing and effective communication. Proper nouns specify particular individuals, places, or things, while common nouns are generic terms for people, places, things, and ideas.

Remember, common nouns are not capitalized unless they appear at the beginning of a sentence. They are used as subjects, objects, or complements in sentences, while proper nouns often play a more specific role.

By incorporating common nouns effectively, you can provide a solid foundation for your writing, adding depth and context to your ideas. So, embrace the power of common nouns and watch your writing come to life.

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• What Is a Common Noun? | Definition & Examples

What Is a Common Noun? | Definition & Examples

Published on 22 August 2022 by Jack Caulfield . Revised on 28 February 2023.

A common noun is a noun that describes a type of person, thing, or place or that names a concept. Common nouns are not capitalised unless they appear at the start of a sentence, unlike proper nouns , which are always capitalised.

Common nouns include the names of different jobs, plants and animals, geographical features, ideas, objects, and many other things. They can be concrete nouns or abstract nouns .

Inequality is a major problem in many societies .

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Table of contents

Common nouns vs proper nouns, common nouns that can become proper nouns, academic concepts are usually common nouns, frequently asked questions about common nouns.

Common nouns are defined by contrast with proper nouns. That means that all nouns are either common or proper (though the same noun can be both, in different contexts).

• Common nouns are general: they usually name classes of things, people, and places rather than specific things, people, and places. They are only capitalised at the start of a sentence, and they can be modified by articles , determiners, and adjectives.
• Proper nouns are the names of specific individuals, things, places, companies, etc. They are always capitalised and typically not modified by articles, determiners, or adjectives.

Bill Gates is the co-founder of Microsoft .

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Common nouns can often become proper (i.e., gain capitalisation) when they are used as a name, or as part of a name.

For example, nouns designating family roles, such as ‘dad’, are common in most cases. But when they’re used directly as a name, without any articles or other determiners, they become proper and gain capitalisation.

In a similar way, nouns that act as titles (e.g., ‘president’, ‘archbishop’, ‘professor’) are capitalised only when they’re used as part of the name of someone holding that title.

The cardinal directions (north, east, south, west) are common nouns in most cases. But they become proper when used with a cultural or political meaning or in the name of a specific location.

There is no longer a country called East Germany.

Countries categorised as part of the Global South are often still in the process of industrialising. Note Common nouns representing important concepts are sometimes capitalised in a literary context to emphasise their importance (e.g., ‘Nature’, ‘Truth’).

One common mistake is to assume that concepts, theories, models, and frameworks are proper nouns, and therefore capitalise them. In fact, they are usually common nouns, although they may include proper nouns (or proper adjectives), which should be capitalised.

The Akaike information criterion evaluates how well a model fits the data it was generated from.

A revolution in scientific thought was initiated by Einstein’s theory of relativity .

Common nouns are words for types of things, people, and places, such as ‘dog’, ‘professor’, and ‘city’. They are not capitalised and are typically used in combination with articles and other determiners.

Proper nouns are words for specific things, people, and places, such as ‘Max’, ‘Dr Prakash’, and ‘London’. They are always capitalised and usually aren’t combined with articles and other determiners.

The names of seasons (e.g., ‘spring’) are treated as common nouns in English and therefore not capitalised . People often assume they are proper nouns, but this is an error.

The names of days and months, however, are capitalised since they’re treated as proper nouns in English (e.g., ‘Wednesday’, ‘January’).

No, as a general rule, academic concepts, disciplines, theories, models, etc. are treated as common nouns , not proper nouns , and therefore not capitalised . For example, ‘five-factor model of personality’ or ‘analytic philosophy’.

However, proper nouns that appear within the name of an academic concept (such as the name of the inventor) are capitalised as usual. For example, ‘Darwin’s theory of evolution’ or ‘ Student’s t table ‘.

Sources for this article

We strongly encourage students to use sources in their work. You can cite our article (APA Style) or take a deep dive into the articles below.

Caulfield, J. (2023, February 28). What Is a Common Noun? | Definition & Examples. Scribbr. Retrieved 15 April 2024, from https://www.scribbr.co.uk/nouns/common-noun/

Aarts, B. (2011).  Oxford modern English grammar . Oxford University Press.

Butterfield, J. (Ed.). (2015).  Fowler’s dictionary of modern English usage  (4th ed.). Oxford University Press.

Garner, B. A. (2016).  Garner’s modern English usage (4th ed.). Oxford University Press.

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Understanding a Proper Noun (Examples + Grammar Rules)

Proper nouns are an essential element of the English language. They also play a critical element in all other worldwide languages but are referred to by parts of speech . They are one of the primary elements of language and grammar that need to be mastered before learning the more complex language concepts.

• What is a proper noun?

A proper noun refers to a specific word or name given to a person, place, or thing. A proper noun includes, within its scope, the names of individuals, companies , and places. An essential thing to remember about proper nouns is that these words always start with the capital first letter. If a proper noun is spelled in all lowercase letters, it will be grammatically incorrect. 

Proper noun examples

To better illustrate this, let’s look at some examples of proper nouns:

• John is a deputy manager at Sony. 
• The capital of India is Delhi. 
• The world’s largest producer of android smartphones is Samsung, a South Korea-based multinational conglomerate. 
• Today is a very important match between Arsenal and Chelsea FC. 
• My favorite car brand is Ferrari.

Proper noun relationships to common nouns

Nouns are of various types. Proper nouns, common nouns, and concrete nouns are the most essential of all. Proper nouns, as established, are a type of noun used to refer to a specific person, place, or other entity. On the other hand, a common noun is a generic name to refer to a person, place, or thing. Common nouns are used to refer to a class of things.

For instance, the words: books, birds, girl, women, father, boys, and palace; are examples of Common nouns.

Alternatively, the following are examples of proper nouns:

• The Buckingham Palace

Types of proper nouns

Proper nouns are often confused with pronouns and prepositions . This leads them to be classified into 6 main categories.

The next time you see any of the following categories be referred to as proper nouns, know that they are either pronouns or related to prepositions and not proper nouns.

There is no such thing as a subject proper noun. Subject pronouns are often confused and referred to as subject proper nouns. However, these are part of the pronoun speech and are related to verb performance. These are words that perform an action.

Direct object

Similar to subject pronouns, there is also no such thing as a direct object proper noun. Direct objects are also related to the performance of verbs. However, contrary to proper subject nouns, these words receive action.

Indirect object

Continuing on the pattern above, indirect object proper nouns are also not a thing. Indirect object verbs are words that receive action from the direct object. This may sound confusing. However, let’s look at an example to understand this concept better:

• The teacher gave the students homework. 

In this sentence , the word “homework” is the direct object. 

What did the teacher give the students? Homework. Thus, homework is the direct object.

“Students,” on the other hand, are indirect objects in this sentence. 

To whom did the teacher give homework? To the students. 

Object of the preposition

The noun (or word/phrase acting as a noun) that joins a preposition to produce a prepositional phrase is known as the object of a preposition. The preposition affects or refers to the objects. Prepositions are followed by their objects, which link the object and the section of the sentence they are changing.

Predicate nominative

The noun or pronoun which follows a connecting verb is known as the predicate nominative (or a predicate noun). The subject of a sentence is given a new identity with these nouns. If the subject and the predicate nominative are switched, the phrase would still make sense and be grammatically correct.

Proper noun grammar rules

As with every part of speech, proper nouns are also regulated by specific grammar rules that must get followed at all times. 

• Firstly, grammar rules dictate that a proper noun should always get used with the first letter capitalized . An exception is certain cases when the noun acts as a common noun instead of a proper noun.
• The second important rule determines when a proper noun can be used with the word “the.” Typically, the word “the” can only be used in specific cases, which would be grammatically incorrect outside of that scope. We will discuss this in further detail in the coming paragraphs.

Common noun and proper noun comparisons

Here are some comparisons of proper nouns versus common nouns:

• Common Noun: Books

Proper Noun: It Ends with Us

• Common Noun: Birds

Proper Noun: Falcon

• Common Noun: Dogs

Proper Noun: Husky

• Common Noun: Snacks

Proper Noun: Doritos

• Common Noun: Banks

Proper Noun: The Bank of America

Proper noun examples (with “the”)

Typically, proper nouns do not start with the word “the.” However, they can be under certain circumstances. Let’s look at proper noun examples starting with “the” to understand this better.

First names

First names are proper nouns that will never begin with the word “the”. Designations like “the king” or “the president” that come before the actual name can start with “the”. However, the name itself will not start with that letter. 

Surnames or family names can begin with the word “the.” Let’s look at some examples of the same: 

• The Windors
• The Clintons
• The Newtons

Full names may be used with the word “the” preceding them in some instances. Some examples of the same are:

• The William Jones’
• The Brian Jeffords’ 
• The Jake Peraltas 
• The Rosa Diaz’s 
• The Chuck Boyle’s 
• The Amy Santiago’s 

Various shops’ names can start with the word “the.” Some of the most common examples are:

• The ambrosia store
• The Polka Boutique
• The Mall of America
• The House of AND

The names of banks can be preceded by the word “the.” Some examples of the same include:

• The Bank of America
• The Bank of France
• The Bank of India
• The Bank of Westminster

Some hotel names that start with “the” include:

• The Marriott
• The Burj-al arab
• The Four Seasons
• The Lemon Tree

Churches, too, can have their names started with the word “the.” Some examples of the same include:

• The Church of Mary and Jesus
• The Church of Our Lady of Fatima
• The Church of Our Savior Lord Jesus
• The Church of Jesus Christ Latter-day saints
• The Church of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception

Some examples of states starting with the word “the” are:

• The United Kingdom
• The United States of America

Some examples of Republics starting with the word “the” include:

• The Republic of France
• The Republic of India

Proper nouns with “the”

States: .

Some examples of states or countries starting with “the” include:

• the United States of America
• the United Kingdom
• the Netherlands
• the Bahamas and the Maldives

Some examples of canals starting with the word “the” include:

• The Suez Canal 
• The Panama Canal
• The Kiel Canal
• The Corinth Canal

Some examples of rivers starting with the word “the” are:

• The Hudson River
• The Han River
• The Indus River

Some examples of oceans starting with the word “the” are:

• The Pacific ocean
• The Indian ocean
• The Arctic ocean
• The Atlantic ocean

Some example of people starting with the word “the” are:

• The King of England
• The President of the United States
• The Prime Minister of India
• The Prince of Wales
• The Princess of Wales

Proper nouns ending in “s” possessive examples

In certain situations, proper nouns can end with an “s” and represent a possessive tone. A possessive tone refers to when a sentence shows ownership of an object.

Some examples of proper nouns ending in “s” are:

• Mary’s dog was very playful.
• London’s Buckingham Palace is a sight to appreciate. 
• Martin’s ice cream shop serves the best swirl ice creams in town .
• Johnny’s bride is a real looker.

Common questions

There are a lot of questions commonly asked about proper nouns. Some of the most common ones include the following:

Is “mom” a proper noun?

No. The word “mom” is not a proper noun. 

Is “earth” a proper noun?

Yes. The word “Earth” signifies a specific planet or place to live on. As such, it is a proper noun. This also means that the word “Earth” must start with a capitalized “E.” However, it can also be used as a common noun, which should be used with a lowercase ‘e.’ 

What is the proper noun of the word “teacher?”

The word “teacher” is a generic noun. There is no proper noun for the word. However, the teacher’s name would need to be used to make it a proper noun.

Let’s take a look at some examples;

• Mrs. Stephanie

What is the proper noun of the word “car?”

A proper noun for the word “car” would be the brand or name of the car itself—for example, Ferrari, Honda, etc.  

What is the proper noun of the “country” or “countries?”

The words “country” and “country” represent a category of things. Hence, these words are not proper nouns

Some examples of proper nouns for country or countries are:

• South Korea

What is the proper noun for the word “dog?”

The correct proper noun for the word dog can be the name of the dog like Bruno, Brandy, Pugsly, etc. Alternatively, the dog’s breed names can also be proper nouns, for example: Golden Retriever, Husky, German Shepherd, etc.

No, one is used to refer to people and the other is used to refer to places.

Common nouns are words for types of things, people, and places, such as “dog,” “teacher,” and “city.” They are not capitalized and are typically used in combination with articles and other determiners . Only proper nouns are capitalized.

In English, proper nouns are words derived from a person’s name.

Typically, yes.

No. North, East, South, and West are common nouns.

Some proper nouns have the definite article before the person’s name.

More on nouns

More resources about nouns:

• Possessive nouns
• Irregular plural nouns
• Proper nouns
• Concrete nouns
• Collective nouns
• Possessive and plural nouns
• What are proper nouns, How do I use them?
• Proper Noun- Merriam Webster
• 20 examples of Proper nouns in English
• Proper Noun
• Proper noun
• What is a proper noun: Definition and Usage
• Proper nouns and common nouns
• Possessive case of Noun
• Grammar Rules about Proper Nouns

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About the author

Dalia Y.: Dalia is an English Major and linguistics expert with an additional degree in Psychology. Dalia has featured articles on Forbes, Inc, Fast Company, Grammarly, and many more. She covers English, ESL, and all things grammar on GrammarBrain.

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What is a Noun?

Most of us have been taught that a noun is a word that refers to a person, place, or thing. While this is true, it is helpful to think of thing as a broad category; a thing does not have to be something that you can hold in your hand (a mountain, a place, and a feeling can all be things ). Here are some examples of nouns:

Toni Morrison is my favorite writer. ( Toni Morrison is a noun and a person) I do not want to go to Seattle . ( Seattle is a noun and a place) I will eat that marshmallow . ( Marshmallow is a noun and a thing) Eating the marshmallow gave me happiness . ( Happiness is a noun and a thing).

Nouns can also refer to an animal ( moose ), a quality ( softness ), an idea ( zero ), or an action (as in “her singing was beautiful”). Nouns can name someone or something generally ( dog, seashore, friend ) or specifically ( Great Pyrenees, Cape Cod, Sally ). And although most nouns consist of a single word, some do not: school bus, Italian dressing, and chuck-will’s-widow are all nouns.

Nouns can be singular ('one sandwich ') or plural ('two sandwiches '), although some nouns take the same form regardless ('one sheep ,' 'two sheep '). Nouns can also refer to concepts ( information ) that cannot be counted and singular entities ( Neptune ) that cannot be pluralized.

Sentences can have one noun (“ Theo ran quickly.”) or more than one (“ Theo ran quickly across the field .”) but some sentences don’t have any (“Run, quickly!”).

Other parts of speech: What is an adjective? What is an adverb? What is a preposition? What is a verb?

Other articles you may be interested in: Adjectives that look like nouns Nouns that look like adjectives

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Work (noun)

Work as an uncountable noun.

Work is an uncountable noun when it means something we do that takes an effort, often as part of a job or for study:

Hard work is good for you. It keeps you fit. (work as a physical activity)

I’m not going out tonight. I’ve got a lot of work to do. We’ve got exams next week. (work as study)

We don’t use work with the indefinite article ( a ) or in the plural. The word for a specific occupation or task is job , which is a countable noun :

They offered me a job in Helsinki, but Finland is a long way from home.

Not: They offered me a work …

We always have a lot of jobs to do round the house at weekends, like cleaning, washing clothes, gardening, and so on.

Not: … a lot of works to do …

We can say that someone is at work when they are at the place where they work and are doing their job:

Can I ring you back later? I’m at work at the moment and I can’t really talk privately.

Work as a countable noun

Work as a countable noun means something created, especially a book or painting or piece of music or sculpture :

She bought me the complete works of Shakespeare for my birthday.

Several works of art were stolen from the town museum yesterday.

The statue is a beautiful new work by the Swedish sculptor Lars Ahlander.

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the act of an animal running around, sometimes in circles, in a very energetic way

Binding, nailing, and gluing: talking about fastening things together

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