English Grammar: Nouns
Nouns — Kinds of Nouns
In unit one you learned that a noun is a word used as a name. You also learned that some nouns begin with capital letters, and others begin with small letters. The subject of capitalization is very important because it is closely concerned with the division of nouns into groups or classes.
In English, nouns are divided into two main classes called common nouns and proper nouns. A common noun names any one of a class of persons, places, or things. We have a name for all the chairs in the world when we use the common noun chair. We have a name for all the lakes in the world when we use the common noun lake.
But when we want to name a particular lake, we must give it a special name. The name of a particular lake might be Lake Louise, Lake George, or Lake Michigan. These particular names are called proper nouns. A proper noun always begins with a capital letter.
We have particular names for persons, such as John Adams, General Eisenhower, Queen Elizabeth, and Governor Stevenson. We also have particular names for certain objects, such as buildings, hotels, theaters, and clubs: Chrysler Building, Hilton Hotel, Rodgers and Hart Theater, and Lions Club.
Sometimes a common noun names a collection of objects or a group of persons. When we use the word band in music, we include under one name all the musicians who play the different instruments. When we use the word jury, we include all the members who make up the jury. Nouns that name a group of persons or a collection of objects are called collective nouns.
A common noun is the name of any one of a class of persons, places, or things.
A collective noun is the name of a group of persons or a collection of objects.
Some nouns are common nouns in one sentence and proper nouns in another sentence.
Roy is studying to be a doctor. (common)
The family called in Dr. Allen. (proper)
John's uncle is an engineer. (common)
Uncle John is a colonel in the army. (proper)
I went to the theater with Alice. (common)
The play was given at the Grand Theater. (proper)
We spent the summer at the lake. (common)
Did you ever cross Lake Erie? (proper)
