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Grammar Guide: Nouns 1

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        Parts of Speech #1:- The Noun
(Most information from: Rose, A. & Purkis, R. 1991. English Grammar: A reference book for schools and colleges. Pietermaritzburg: Shuter & Shooter)                       



In English grammar, we group words according to their use. We call these groups 'parts of speech' and there are eight (8) of them in total. This guide speaks a bit about the first group: 'nouns'.



                    The Noun:- Part #1:- Types of Nouns:

Nouns are what we call words that name people, places, things, groups, qualities, and ideas. Most of them are generally things that we can feel with our senses: sight, smell, sound, touch, taste.

There are four types of nouns:

a) Proper Nouns:
• A 'proper noun' names a person, a place, or a thing.
For example: Richard Jones. Cape Town. The Great Wall of China.

Note: All proper nouns always begin with a capital letter.
Simon Stone never dreamt of Hell during December when it snowed.
Shirley always thought Rome would be nice in summer.


Note: You only capitalise the seasons when they begin a sentence or are part of a title, example: Spring was upon the land. or I'm taking part in the 'Winter Carnival'.


b) Common Nouns:
• A 'common noun' is the name given to all the members of a group.
• A proper noun (above) refers to only one thing. A common noun refers to one of many similar things.
• All these things can be 'felt' using one or more of the five senses.
For example: car, dog, scissors, bacon, knee, flower.

Note: Common nouns do not start with a capital letter unless they begin a sentence.
Cats eat mice. I smell bacon frying.


c) Collective Nouns:
• A 'collective noun' refers to a group of people or things.
For example: The crew of a ship. The company of actors. The herd of cows.

Note: Collective nouns can be used either in singular or plural form. Try not to mix singular with plural.
Note: Collective nouns do not start with a capital letter unless they begin a sentence.


d) Abstract Nouns:
• Abstract nouns are the only nouns which cannot be recognised by the five senses.
• They are recognised by the mind.
For example: courage, delight, fear, love, hope.

• Most of them refer to feelings.
Note: An abstract noun does not start with a capital letter unless it begins a sentence.


Note: Some nouns, depending on how you use them, can fall into more than one of the above groups.


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In 'The Noun:- Part #2' I will cover the recognition of nouns and the characteristics of nouns.
I decided to write some literary guides based on grammar. They will range from very basic to a bit more complex, but some non-English speakers may not know these things.

If you find them useful, spread the word.

Note: There will be a lot of these, so I am not going to link them all. However, I will link each 'series' and then a link to the beginning of the old 'series' on the new one.

Nouns #1: You are here.
Nouns #2: [link]
Nouns #3: [link]
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PixelatedPanda's avatar
If there was something better than a :heart: I would be all over this.