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We all know the definition of a noun really well. When asked to name the different types of nouns, however, we often struggle to remember what our teacher said back when we were 7 or 8 years old.
Knowing the 6 types of nouns, exactly how they are marked and used in sentences can be easy to accomplish. You simply have to practise using them in your everyday speech. You will eventually learn the differences and feel comfortable to talk about them.
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What is a noun?
A noun is the name of a person, place, animal or thing. The name means any word that refers to these four items. This word can be used many ways in sentences.
Person can be a ‘boy’ whose actual name is ‘Tom’, but has the nickname ‘star boy’. He is a ‘son’, ‘cousin’, ‘friend’, ‘student’, or ‘teammate’ of other people.
Place can be a ‘city’ that is named ‘Port-of-Spain’, which is called ‘town’ and ‘capital’. It is located in the ‘west’ and consists of ‘homes’, ‘malls’, ‘business places’, and ‘government offices’.
Animal can be a ‘dog’ with the actual name ‘Rover’, but people call him ‘boy’. It is a ‘pet’, ‘stray’, ‘male’, ‘female’, ‘friend’, or ‘buddy’ to others.
Thing can be a ‘school bag’ with the name ‘Nike’. It is also referred to as ‘bookbag’ and ‘knapsack’. A thing can be concrete or abstract. Concrete means you can experience the thing with your senses, e.g. you can see a ‘boy’. Abstract means you cannot experience the thing with your senses, e.g. you cannot see ‘January’.
Once you understand exactly what is a noun, you are ready to learn the types and how to use them in sentences. Here are the 6 types of nouns, their markings, usage in sentences, examples and exercises for you.
6 types of nouns
1. Common noun
Common noun is a common word for a person, place, animal, or thing. It always starts with a common letter.
e.g. boy, school, dog, bag, love
Correct the error
Person: A short girl stands next to a tall Boy.
Place: We love School but not school work.
Animal: The Dog is barking for food.
Thing: My pencil has no Eraser on it.
Answers
Person: A short girl stands next to a tall boy.
Place: We love school but not school work.
Animal: The dog is barking for food.
Thing: My pencil has no eraser on it.
2. Proper noun
Proper noun is a specific name of a person, place, animal, or thing. It always starts with a capital letter.
e.g. Bob, Study Zone Institute, Rover or Nike
Correct the error
Person: He likes Mary and ann likes him.
Place: I attend Study zone Institute.
Animal: My dog fluffy is soft and fluffy.
Thing: He wears Nike and adidas brands.
Answers
Person: He likes Mary and Ann likes him.
Place: I attend Study Zone Institute.
Animal: My dog Fluffy is soft and fluffy.
Thing: He wears Nike and Adidas brands.
3. Possessive noun
Possessive noun shows ownership by a person, place, animal or thing. It is marked by an apostrophe ‘s’ when singular and ‘s’ apostrophe when plural.
e.g. boy’s pen, boys’ school, Bob’s dad, Study Zone Institute’s website, Rover’s bone, or Nike’s bags
Correct the error
Person: We sell girls dresses and men’s pants.
Place: Games World is near the malls food court.
Animal: This cats bowl is empty and those cats’ bowls are full.
Thing: His buses engines are bigger than my bus’s engine.
Answers
Person: We sell girls’ dresses and men’s pants.
Place: Games World is near the mall’s food court.
Animal: This cat’s bowl is empty and those cats’ bowls are full.
Thing: His buses’ engines are bigger than my bus’s engine.
4. Collective noun
Collective noun is one word that describes a collection of persons, places, animals or things. It is a phrase learned when you study English or you may use the word ‘group’ in some cases when you are uncertain.
e.g. class of students, chain of islands, litter of kittens, or bunch of bananas
Correct the error
Person: A bunch of students is going on the field trip.
Place: A herd of fish is swimming in the sea.
Animal: A group of birds is flying in the sky.
Thing: A litter of dogs is chasing a cat.
Answers
Person: A class of students is going on the field trip.
Place: A school of fish is swimming in the sea.
Animal: A flock of birds is flying in the sky.
Thing: A pack of dogs is chasing a cat.
5. Compound noun
Compound noun is the joining of two nouns to make one word or phrase that describes a person, place, animal or thing. It may be written as one word, hyphenated words, or separated words.
e.g. policeman, Port-of-Spain, or German Shepherd.
Correct the error
Person: He is my father in law.
Place: My girlfriend is at the air port.
Animal: The lady bug is male.
Thing: The firetruck is red.
Answers
Person: He is my father-in-law.
Place: My girlfriend is at the airport.
Animal: The ladybug is male.
Thing: The fire truck is red.
6. Abstract noun
Abstract noun is a thing that has no physical existence. All other nouns are called concrete nouns because they can be seen, tasted or felt. Abstract nouns are emotions, days, months, music, state, idea and quality.
e.g. love, Tuesday, November, neighbourhood, excitement
Correct the error
Person: Mom shared her wiseness with me.
Place: Let’s end poorship in the neighbourhood.
Animal: Dogs are known for their loyalness.
Thing: We built a friendliness since childhood.
Answers
Person: Mom shared her wisdom with me.
Place: Let’s end poverty in the neighbourhood.
Animal: Dogs are known for their loyalty.
Thing: We built a friendship since childhood.
Conclusion
When you use these explanations, examples and exercises on nouns, you should be able to understand the 6 types of nouns, their markings and how they are used in sentences. When you speak and write English, you must stop and label your words to develop a better idea of how you use nouns.
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