WHAT IS A NOUN?

Nouns refer to names of people, animals, places, things, ideas. In sentences, a noun functions as the following:

1. Subject of a verb
2. Object of a verb
3. Complement of a verb
4. Object of a preposition
5. Be in apposition to another now

We will learn more in detail in another article. Let’s go-ahead to learn what is a noun in depth.

People: Beatrice, man

Animals: Lion, Cattle

Places: Mount Everest, Kenya

Things: Pencil, Bicycle

Ideas: Politics, Science

Types of Nouns

There are different types of nouns which include:

• Proper Noun Vs Common Nouns
• Concrete Vs Abstract Nouns
• Countable Vs Non-countable Nouns
• Collective Nouns
• Attributive Nouns
• Compound Nouns
• Nouns of Address

Proper Nouns Vs. Common Nouns

Proper Nouns

There is a crucial distinction to knowing whether a noun is a proper or a common noun. A proper noun is a name that is typically capitalized and refers to a particular person, place, or thing.

Example:

• Does Ben have a lot of work to do this morning?
• She would like to see Eiffel Tower.

Common Nouns

A common noun is the opposite of a proper noun. It is, at times, called a generic noun. The item’s known name in a class or group is called a common noun, and it is not capitalized unless it appears at the start of a sentence or in a title. 

Example:

• The ladies went to work.
• Do the men know the location?

Concrete Vs Abstract Nouns  

A concrete noun is something the senses perceive (seen, felt, heard, touched, smelt), while an abstract noun is something the senses cannot perceive. 

Concrete Nouns

• The television is big.
• That athlete came first in the competition.

Abstract Nouns

• She has so much courage.
• They are in danger.

Countable Nouns Vs Non-Countable Nouns

These are further divided into countable and non-countable nouns. Countable nouns can be counted irrespective of the quantity or numbers. 

Uncountable nouns are nouns whose quantity or state is impossible to count. These include money and liquids.

Countable Nouns

They sold five goats.

Mike bought three eggs.

Non-Countable Nouns

Tony drank a lot of water.

She took all the money.

Collective Nouns

Collective nouns refer to a group of similar entities and do not necessitate plural verbs.

Example:

• The herd of cattle moved to the ranch.
• They cheered the team of football players.

Attributive Nouns

Attributive nouns, also known as noun adjuncts, modify other nouns and act as adjectives. It can also be a noun pre-modifier or converted adjective. For example: 

• The girl danced with her doll princess.

Here, doll is the noun adjunct modifying the word princess, making the compound noun doll princess. 

• The guys played with their ghost car.

Here, ghost is the noun adjunct modifying the word car, making the compound noun ghost car. 

Compound Nouns

Compound nouns comprise two or more words functioning as a single unit to name a person, place, or thing. They can consist of two nouns, or an adjective and a noun. 

• chalk + board = chalkboard (a board used with chalk).

• laundry + room = laundry room (a room for laundry).

• navy + man = navy man (a navy officer who is a man).

Nouns of Address

Nouns of address determine the person or group directly addressed or get the person’s attention. They are grammatically irrelevant to the other part of the sentence as they do not modify it. 

Example: 

• Did you take the sweet, Dad?
• Fred, I need you take me to school.
•  Pardon me, Mr Mark, I didn’t see you come in. 

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Wondering if a noun is a grammar form or function? Read this article for more details –

GRAMMAR FORMS AND FUNCTIONS