The Noun: Types of Nouns
Definition of a Noun
A noun is a word used to denote the name of a person, place, or thing. The term "thing" in this context refers to anything that can be conceived in thought.
Classification of Nouns
Proper and Common Nouns
Consider the following sentence:
Asoka was a wise king.
The noun Asoka refers to a specific individual and is therefore classified as a Proper Noun.
The noun king is a general term applicable to any individual in the same category and is thus classified as a Common Noun.
Similarly:
Sita is a Proper Noun, whereas girl is a Common Noun.
Hart is a Proper Noun, whereas boy is a Common Noun.
Kolkata is a Proper Noun, whereas city is a Common Noun.
India is a Proper Noun, whereas country is a Common Noun.
Definition:
A Common Noun is a name given universally to every individual belonging to the same class or kind. (The term "common" signifies something shared by all.)
A Proper Noun denotes a specific person or place. (The term "proper" originates from "one’s own," indicating an individual's unique name.)
Key Notes:
Proper nouns always commence with a capital letter.
Occasionally, proper nouns can function as common nouns. For instance:
He was the Lukman (= the wisest man) of his age.
Kalidas is often called the Shakespeare (= the greatest dramatist) of India.
Subcategories of Common Nouns
Collective Nouns
A Collective Noun refers to a collection of individuals or objects regarded as a single entity. Examples include:
Crowd (a group of people)
Mob (a disorderly crowd)
Team (a group of players)
Flock (a group of birds)
Herd (a group of cattle)
Army (a group of soldiers)
Fleet (a collection of ships)
Jury (a panel of judges)
Family (a group of related individuals)
Nation (a group of people forming a country)
Examples in sentences:
The police dispersed the crowd.
The French army was defeated at Waterloo.
The jury found the prisoner guilty.
A herd of cattle is passing.
Abstract Nouns
An Abstract Noun represents a quality, action, or state, considered independent of the object possessing it. Examples:
Qualities: Goodness, kindness, whiteness, darkness, honesty, bravery.
Actions: Laughter, theft, movement, judgment, hatred.
States: Childhood, youth, slavery, sleep, sickness, poverty.
Additionally, the names of disciplines such as grammar, music, and chemistry are classified as abstract nouns.
Abstract nouns are derived as follows:
From Adjectives (e.g., Kindness from kind, Honesty from honest)
From Verbs (e.g., Obedience from obey, Growth from grow)
From Common Nouns (e.g., Childhood from child, Slavery from slave)
Countable and Uncountable Nouns
Countable Nouns refer to entities that can be counted (e.g., book, pen, apple, doctor, horse). They have plural forms (e.g., books, pens).
Uncountable Nouns denote things that cannot be counted (e.g., milk, oil, sugar, honesty). These do not have plural forms (e.g., we say "milk" but not "milks").
Grammar Exercise 3
Identify the nouns and classify them as Common, Proper, Collective, or Abstract:
crowd - Collective
truth - Abstract
honesty - Abstract
class - Collective
strength - Abstract
Solomon - Proper, wisdom - Abstract
Cleanliness - Abstract, godliness - Abstract
fleet - Collective
class - Collective, grammar - Abstract
Godavari - Proper
committee - Collective
Jawaharlal Nehru - Proper
soldiers - Common, bravery - Abstract
health - Abstract, happiness - Abstract
bunch - Collective, grapes - Common
voice - Common
team - Collective
lie - Abstract
wisdom - Abstract, strength - Abstract
value - Abstract, time - Abstract
innocence - Abstract
length - Abstract
childhood - Abstract
streets - Common, cities - Common, crookedness - Abstract
verdict - Abstract, jury - Collective
Composition Exercise 4
Collective Nouns for:
Cattle - Herd
Soldiers - Army
Sailors - Crew
Qualities for Boys Who Are:
Lazy - Laziness
Cruel - Cruelty
Brave - Bravery
Foolish - Foolishness
Composition Exercise 5
Abstract Nouns Formed from Adjectives:
Long - Length
Young - Youth
Humble - Humility
Decent - Decency
Cruel - Cruelty
Bitter - Bitterness
Strong - Strength
True - Truth
Short - Shortness
Prudent - Prudence
Dark - Darkness
Deep - Depth
Wide - Width
Wise - Wisdom
Good - Goodness
Vacant - Vacancy
Sweet - Sweetness
Human - Humanity
Broad - Breadth
Free - Freedom
Proud - Pride
Abstract Nouns Formed from Verbs:
Laugh - Laughter
Obey - Obedience
Live - Life
Excel - Excellence
Steal - Theft
Choose - Choice
Judge - Judgment
Succeed - Success
See - Sight
Abstract Nouns Formed from Common Nouns:
King - Kingship
Man - Manhood
Thief - Theft
Woman - Womanhood
Mother - Motherhood
Friend - Friendship
Glutton - Gluttony