NOUNS

NOUN - TYPES - EXAMPLES
Nouns are a part of speech that comprise words that are used to name
people, places, animals, objects and ideas. Almost every sentence will
definitely have a noun, and they perform different roles in a sentence.
Nouns can act as the subject, an indirect object, a direct object, a subject
complement and an object complement. Nouns can also function as
adjectives and verbs.
Examples of Nouns:
People – Rahul, Sheela, Man, Person, Tommy, Women, Girl, The Prime
Minister
Places – Bangalore, India, Mexico, North Pole, South Africa, The Nile
River, Classroom, Bedroom, Basketball Court, Cricket Ground,
Swimming Pool
Animals/Birds/Aquatic Animals/Reptiles – Lion, Zebra, Snake, Ostrich,
Flamingo, Bear, Cat, Fish, Shark
Ideas – Evolution, Invention, Extinction, Argument, Destruction
Objects/Things – Bat, Cycle, Curtains, Paper, Bag, Blackboard,
Cupboard
Types of Nouns
Nouns can be broadly classified into:
1. Proper Nouns: Nouns that are used to name a person, place or thing
specifically are called a proper noun. Proper nouns always begin with a
capital letter.
Examples:
My name is Rose. (Name of a particular person)

This is my dog, Bruno. (Name of a specific pet animal owned by
someone)
David came back from Minsk. (Name of a specific place)
Louis Philippe is a famous brand of men’s clothing. (Name of a particular
clothing brand)
2. Common nouns: Common nouns are those nouns that refer to a

generic item, group or place. This means that, unlike proper nouns, they
are not used to identify specific people, places or objects. Common nouns
are not capitalised unless they appear at the beginning of a sentence.
Examples:
I bought a pen yesterday. (Common object)

I am going to school. (Common place)
Only ten employees showed up to work today. (Common group)
The car is out of fuel. (Common items)
3. Singular nouns: These are words that are used to name a single
person, place, animal, bird or object.
Examples:
There is a little boy in front of our house. (Single person)

That is my daughter. (Single person)
I found a wounded sparrow in the bush. (Single bird)
A red van has been following us for a long time. (Single object)
4. Plural nouns: Plural nouns refer to a number of people, places,

animals or things. Nouns are made plural by adding an ‘s’ or ‘es’ or ‘ies’
or ‘ves’ to the existing root word. Nouns that end with an ‘s’ remain the
same. Some nouns remain the same in both their singular and plural
forms, and some others have totally different spelling.
Examples:
I need some apples.

Did you find the boxes you were looking for?
I bought mangoes from the market.
We took photos of some deer on our way.
5. Countable nouns are those nouns that can be counted or measured.
Examples:
Tom brought ten packets of lays for the trip. (specific number – ten)
Mom asked me to buy a dozen eggs. (specific – dozen means twelve)
I saw an aeroplane around seven in the morning. (specific – an means
one)
6. Uncountable nouns are those nouns that cannot be counted. This

category of nouns includes both concrete and abstract nouns.
Examples:
I have a lot of homework to do. (Not specific)
I have a cup of tea. (Cannot count)
We are facing terrible weather today. (Cannot count)
7. Collective Nouns: A collective noun is a naming word that is used to
denote a group of objects, animals or people.
Examples:
Collective nouns for groups of animals

A pride of lions
A flock of sheep
A swarm of bees
A herd of elephants
Collective nouns for groups of people
A band of musicians
A board of directors
A crew of sailors
A company of actors
Collective nouns for a number of things/objects
A pair of shoes
A chain of mountains
A fleet of ships
A bunch of grapes
8. Concrete Nouns: A concrete noun refers to objects that are material

and can be perceived by the human senses.
Examples:
The book is on the table.

I had a cup of coffee.
Sharon opened the windows.
Hardy goes to school by bus.
9. Abstract Nouns: Any entity that cannot be perceived by the five

senses of the human body are called an abstract noun.
Examples:
Love is a strong emotion.

Honesty is the best policy.
It takes a lot of courage to raise your voice and stand up against injustice.
You should not misuse the freedom you are given.
Also Explore: Compound Nouns | Possessive Nouns | Noun Phrases |
Noun Exercises
Nouns Used as Different Components of a Sentence
Nouns Used as a Subject

When used as a subject, a noun mostly appears at the beginning of a
sentence. It can be identified by asking the question ‘who’.
Examples:
Bruno went to the playground.
The teacher asked the students to submit their assignments.
The elephant was rescued safely after ten long hours.
Nouns Used as an Object
When nouns are used as objects, they appear in the latter part of a
sentence. It can be identified by asking the question ‘what’.
Examples:
I bought a pen.
Where is your book?
I cannot find today’s newspaper.
Nouns can be used as a direct object and an indirect object.
Nouns Used as a Direct Object
You can identify a noun used as a direct object by asking the question
‘what’.
Examples:
Do you want a lollipop? (What do you want? – a lollipop)
I loved my dress. (What did you love? – my dress)
Nouns Used as an Indirect Object
You can ask the question ‘for whom’ to identify a noun used as an
indirect object.
Examples:
Dan bought his sister a Mini Cooper. (For whom did Dan buy a Mini
Cooper? – his sister)
Megha baked Julie a cake. (For whom did Megha bake a cake? – Julie)
Nouns Used as a Complement
When a noun is used to modify or describe another noun, it acts as a

complement.
Nouns Used as a Subject Complement

Professions and positions can perform the role of a subject complement.
Examples:
My brother is an engineer.
Jawaharlal Nehru was the first Prime Minister of India.
Nouns Used as an Object Complement

Object complements are nouns that follow the noun they modify. Names,
professions and positions can perform the role of an object complement.
Examples:
We named our dog, Shadow.
The teacher made Tabitha, the class leader.
Multifunctional Nouns
Nouns Used as Verbs

There are some nouns which can also be used as a verb. Some nouns can
be used as verbs with a slight change in the spelling of the original word.
Examples:
His divorce is final. (Used as a noun)

I am divorced. (Used as a verb)
Do you like my new dress? (Used as a noun)

I am dressed and ready to go. (Used as a verb)
Derrick had come to collect some ice. (Used as a noun)

My mother iced the fish so that it did not stink. (Used as a verb)
I have dance practice today. (Used as a noun)

Did you practise the song? (Used as an adjective)
Nouns Used as Adjectives
With a slight change in the spelling or adding a suffix to the root word,
nouns can sometimes be used as adjectives.
Examples:
I have no money. (Used as a noun)
There has been a change in the monetary policy of the country. (Used as
an adjective)
Javed sensed some danger. (Used as a noun)

What you are trying to do is dangerous. (Used as an adjective)
She is excited about magic. (Used as a noun)

The experience was completely magical. (Used as an adjective)
Speaking against another religion is a legal offence. (Used as a noun)

What you did was offensive. (Used as an adjective)

NOUNS

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NOUN - TYPES - EXAMPLES

My name is Rose. (Name of a particular person)

2. Common nouns: Common nouns are those nouns that refer to a

I bought a pen yesterday. (Common object)

There is a little boy in front of our house. (Single person)

4. Plural nouns: Plural nouns refer to a number of people, places,

I need some apples.

5. Countable nouns are those nouns that can be counted or measured.

6. Uncountable nouns are those nouns that cannot be counted. This

Collective nouns for groups of animals

8. Concrete Nouns: A concrete noun refers to objects that are material

The book is on the table.

9. Abstract Nouns: Any entity that cannot be perceived by the five

Love is a strong emotion.

Nouns Used as Different Components of a Sentence

Nouns Used as a Subject

Nouns Used as an Object

Nouns Used as a Direct Object

Nouns Used as a Complement

When a noun is used to modify or describe another noun, it acts as a

Nouns Used as a Subject Complement

Nouns Used as an Object Complement

Nouns Used as Verbs

His divorce is final. (Used as a noun)

Do you like my new dress? (Used as a noun)

Derrick had come to collect some ice. (Used as a noun)

I have dance practice today. (Used as a noun)

Javed sensed some danger. (Used as a noun)

She is excited about magic. (Used as a noun)

Speaking against another religion is a legal offence. (Used as a noun)

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