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• Abstract Noun | Definition, Examples & Worksheet

Abstract Noun | Definition, Examples & Worksheet

Published on February 25, 2023 by Jack Caulfield . Revised on April 18, 2023.

An abstract noun is a noun that refers to something non-physical—something conceptual that you can’t perceive directly with your senses. Examples include “sadness,” “analysis,” “government,” and “adulthood.”

Abstract nouns are contrasted with concrete nouns , which are words like “cat,” “desk,” or “Andrew” that refer to physical objects and entities.

The passage of time isn’t easy to perceive.

Table of contents

Abstract nouns vs. concrete nouns, abstract noun examples, formation of abstract nouns, worksheet: concrete vs. abstract nouns, other interesting language articles, frequently asked questions.

Abstract nouns differ from concrete nouns in terms of what they describe:

• Abstract nouns refer to anything that isn’t directly observable. That could mean personal qualities, measurements of time, cultural movements, or concepts.
• Concrete nouns refer to what can be perceived with the senses: things, people, animals, and places.

The same word could often be interpreted as abstract or concrete depending on your perspective and on the context in which it is used. The distinction is often very subjective.

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Abstract nouns represent a wide variety of things—anything that isn’t represented by a concrete noun, in fact. The table below explores a few different categories of things that abstract nouns can refer to.

A lot (though not all) of the examples given in the previous section followed a few specific patterns in terms of the suffixes they ended with (e.g., “-ness,” “-ism”).

This is because abstract nouns are formed from adjectives , verbs , and other nouns in a number of standard ways. Common ways of forming abstract nouns are shown in the table below.

Want to test your understanding of the difference between concrete and abstract nouns? Try the worksheet below. Just decide whether each highlighted noun is concrete or abstract .

• Practice questions
• Answers and explanations
• The dog seemed to enjoy its dinner .
• The price of adhering to one’s principles can be high.
• The name of my cat is Whiskers .
• The foundations of the house have begun to sink due to a lack of maintenance .
• My neighbor John has some questionable ideas about politics .
• Both “dog” and “dinner” are concrete nouns , since they represent physical entities in the world.
• “Price” and “ principles ” are both abstract nouns because you can’t touch or see a principle or a price (although you might see something representing a price, so a noun like “price tag” would be considered concrete).
• The concept of a name is abstract. “Cat” is a concrete noun because a cat is a physical being. “Whiskers” is concrete whether you take it to mean the speaker’s cat or simply the word “Whiskers” in its use as a name—both of these can be perceived with the senses.
• “Foundations” and “house” both represent specific physical things and are therefore concrete nouns. “Lack” and “maintenance” are both more conceptual and are therefore abstract.
• Both the common noun “neighbor” and the proper noun “John” (here used as an appositive ) are concrete nouns, since they refer to people. “Ideas” and “politics” are both abstract because they refer to concepts rather than physical things.

If you want to know more about commonly confused words, definitions, common mistakes, and differences between US and UK spellings, make sure to check out some of our other language articles with explanations, examples, and quizzes.

Nouns & pronouns

• Common nouns
• Proper nouns
• Collective nouns
• Personal pronouns
• Uncountable and countable nouns
• Verb tenses
• Phrasal verbs
• Sentence structure
• Active vs passive voice
• Subject-verb agreement
• Interjections
• Determiners
• Prepositions

An abstract noun is a noun describing something that can’t be directly perceived with the senses .

Abstract nouns may refer to general or philosophical concepts (e.g., “art,” “democracy,” “evidence”), emotions and personal qualities (e.g., “happiness,” “impatience”), time measurements (e.g., “hours,” “January”), or states of being (e.g., “solidity,” “instability”).

Abstract nouns are the opposite of concrete nouns , which refer to physical things that can be perceived with the senses: objects, substances, places, people and animals, and so on. For example, “window,” “Dorian,” and “sand.”

A concrete noun is a noun describing a physical entity that can be perceived with the senses . Concrete nouns may refer to things (e.g., “phone,” “hat”), places (e.g., “France,” “the post office”), or people and animals (e.g., “dog,” “doctor,” “Jamal”).

Concrete nouns are contrasted with abstract nouns , which refer to things that can’t be directly perceived—ideas, theories, concepts, and so on. Examples include “happiness,” “condemnation,” “ethics,” and “time.”

There are many ways to categorize nouns into various types, and the same noun can fall into multiple categories or even change types depending on context.

Some of the main types of nouns are:

• Common and proper nouns
• Countable and uncountable nouns
• Concrete and abstract nouns
• Possessive nouns
• Attributive nouns
• Appositive nouns
• Generic nouns

Sources in this article

We strongly encourage students to use sources in their work. You can cite our article (APA Style) or take a deep dive into the articles below.

Caulfield, J. (2023, April 18). Abstract Noun | Definition, Examples & Worksheet. Scribbr. Retrieved August 12, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/nouns-and-pronouns/abstract-noun/

Aarts, B. (2011). Oxford modern English grammar . Oxford University Press.

Butterfield, J. (Ed.). (2015). Fowler’s dictionary of modern English usage (4th ed.). Oxford University Press.

Garner, B. A. (2016). Garner’s modern English usage (4th ed.). Oxford University Press.

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Abstract nouns

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Ideas and concepts: abstract nouns worksheets

Abstract nouns are ideas and concepts. While you can touch, hear or smell concrete nouns; abstract nouns are things you feel or think about. In these worksheets, students circle the abstract noun or nouns in each sentence .

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Noun worksheets, lessons, and tests.

Understanding the parts of speech is fundamental to learning more advanced concepts like sentence structure , grammar, and punctuation. That's why so many language arts units start with the parts of speech. And, if you are starting a unit on the parts of speech, one of the better places to begin is by studying nouns .

Nouns are words that refer to people, places, and things. Most grade school students can tell you this. But the study of nouns gets a little more complex. There are many types of nouns such as common and proper, singular and plural, and abstract and concrete. It is helpful to know these distinctions when studying language. Over the years I've created a catalog of noun worksheets and activities that work well in the classroom. These include multiple-choice tests, practice activities suitable for homework or classroom activities, as well as online noun activities that give students instant feedback and save teachers' time. I've posted all of these activities to this page and made them freely accessible to teachers, parents, and students. May we all one day have a better understanding of what we are saying.

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Concrete and Abstract Nouns: Definition, Examples, & Exercises

• The Albert Team
• Last Updated On: March 1, 2022

What makes some nouns fall under the category of concrete, while other nouns are categorized  as abstract?

Read on to learn how to tell the difference between concrete and abstract nouns and when to use each type.

When you’re ready, test yourself with a quiz and practice with our high-quality, standards-aligned questions here .

What We Review

The Basics of Concrete and Abstract Nouns

What is a concrete noun?

A concrete noun identifies something material and non-abstract, such as a chair, a house, or an automobile. Think about everything you can experience with your five senses: smell, touch, sight, hearing, or taste. A strawberry milkshake that tastes sweet and feels cold is an example of a concrete noun .

What is an abstract noun?

An abstract noun identifies something immaterial and abstract, such as rest, dread, or transportation. Think about something you can describe but do not experience with your five senses.

Scoring an ‘A’ on a test or sinking the winning basket in a basketball game is what we would all describe as a win, a victory, or a success. But can you really describe any of these nouns using your senses?

Sure, you might be able to feel the rubber basketball as it leaves your hand and hear it “whoosh” through the net. You may be able to see your score on your test and feel the weight of the paper in your hands, but none of these senses can fully capture the meaning of these abstract nouns .

What is the relationship between concrete and abstract nouns?

Concrete and abstract nouns work together to allow us to communicate effectively.

This list, obviously, does not include all common and proper nouns and is meant to be used as a guide while identifying other nouns.

For example, you may have a friend who shares with you that they feel anxious.

You may not be familiar with this feeling, and you are having trouble understanding what your friend is going through because they used an abstract noun . You can ask your friend to describe what anxiety feels like, and often your friend will then use concrete nouns to help you understand more clearly.

Your friend explains that his anxiety feels like a giant rock is pushing on his chest, keeping him from moving. His anxiety also feels like he is trying to cross a busy highway, but there are too many cars quickly passing by, making it impossible for him to cross.

Because your friend used concrete nouns such as rock, chest, highway, and cars, you now have a better understanding of what the abstract noun, anxiety, must feel like. Now you know how to help your friend because using these different nouns together helped you both communicate effectively.

How do you use concrete and abstract nouns?

Concrete and abstract nouns can be used together or separately. Authors use concrete nouns to paint vivid physical descriptions of characters and settings.

For example, in The Hobbit , the author, J. R. R. Tolkien, describes the wizard Gandalf as “ an old man with a staff {with} a tall pointed blue hat, a long grey cloak, a silver scarf over a white beard hung down below his waist, and immense black boots ” (Tolkien 17).

There are several concrete nouns in this sentence that give the reader a picture of what Gandalf might look like. However, to fully understand who Gandalf is apart from just his physical appearance, the author must use abstract nouns as well.

As the story goes on, the reader finds out that some of Gandalf’s strengths are his wisdom and resourcefulness. Both wisdom and resourcefulness are abstract nouns that describe Gandalf further by going beyond Gandalf’s outward appearance.

However, to fully understand these abstract nouns, concrete nouns are needed once again to show the concrete details of how these strengths reveal themselves within the story.

For example, Gandalf’s resourcefulness is shown when he tricks two dangerous trolls into fighting with one another until the sun comes up, which then turns the trolls into stone.

As the trolls argue, Gandalf exclaims, “Dawn take you all, and be stone to you!” (Tolkien 51). When the trolls experience these concrete nouns and see the rising sun turn their bodies into stone, they realize Gandalf’s resourcefulness a little too late.

Return to the Table fo Contents

3 Tips for Understanding Concrete vs. Abstract Nouns

Here are some important tips to help you determine the difference between concrete and abstract nouns:

Tip #1. If you can experience the noun with one of your five senses, it is a concrete noun

• Remember, concrete nouns identify something material and non-abstract, which means we can see, taste, hear, touch, or smell it.
• For example, your brother’s stinky shoes are a concrete noun. You can see them, and you can absolutely smell them.

Tip #2. If you cannot experience the noun with one or more of your five senses, it is an abstract noun

• Remember, abstract nouns identify something immaterial and abstract, which means we cannot see, taste, hear, touch, or smell it.
• For example, the word love is an abstract noun. No one ever saw love taking a stroll around the neighborhood with their pet Corgi, but most everyone understands what love is, even if we have various definitions of it.

Tip #3. Concrete nouns can help us better understand the meaning of abstract nouns

• Because we cannot experience abstract nouns with our five senses, it can be difficult to fully understand the meaning of certain abstract nouns.
• Concrete nouns help us understand the meaning of abstract nouns by comparing something immaterial to something material.
• For example, the abstract noun bravery can be better understood by comparing this word to the concrete words and actions of Martin Luther King Jr. Martin Luther King Jr. embodies the abstract noun bravery because people saw his march to protect the rights of all people, people heard his voice speak against the injustice happening to people around him, and people knew his ears were always open to the stories of people who looked up to him.
• While the abstract noun bravery cannot be experienced using our five senses, we can understand its meaning better by using concrete nouns such as march , voice , and ears .

Applying the Basics: Common and Proper Noun Review & Practice

Now that you understand the difference between concrete and abstract nouns, let’s practice identifying both types of nouns. 

The Ultimate List of Concrete and Abstract Nouns 

Refer to the graphic below for an extensive list of example concrete and abstract nouns:

This list, obviously, does not include all concrete and abstract nouns, and it is meant to be used as a guide while identifying the difference between these two types of nouns.

Concrete Noun Exercises and Review 

Now that you know the difference between concrete and abstract nouns, test your ability to accurately identify concrete nouns.

Select the concrete noun(s) in the sentences below. Remember, these nouns identify something material that can be experienced using one or more of the five senses.

1. The chestnut brown horse galloped across the field , the shimmer of it’s golden mane imitated by the waving grass .

• In this sentence, horse, field, shimmer, mane , and grass are all concrete nouns because they can be experienced by one or more of the five senses, specifically, sight.

2. The heat of the sun beat down mercilessly on the soccer players , forcing several players to take a break to drink long gulps of cold water .

• In this sentence , heat, sun, players, gulps, and water are concrete nouns because they can all be seen, tasted, or felt. The noun break is not underlined because it refers to a stop in time and cannot be experienced by one or more of the five senses. Therefore, it is an abstract noun.

3. As she leaned her head outside the window , she could smell the fresh-cut grass and newly-mulched flower beds .

• In this sentence , head, window, grass, and flower beds are all concrete nouns because they can all be seen or smelled.

4. He adjusted the sound on his airpods so that he could hear the violin more clearly.

• In this sentence , sound, airpods, and violin are all concrete nouns because they can be perceived with the senses of sight and hearing.

5. The flames crackled and hissed atop the dry brush , spreading frantically across the forest in smoky gusts .

• In this sentence, flames, brush, forest, and gusts are all concrete nouns. The flames can be seen and heard spreading across the dry branches, and the smoky gusts can be seen, smelled, and even felt as it burns our eyes.

Pro tip : When evaluating whether a noun is concrete, ask yourself, “Can I experience it using one or more of the five senses?”

Abstract Noun Exercises and Review

Now that you know the difference between concrete and abstract nouns, test your ability to accurately identify abstract nouns.

Select the abstract noun(s) in the sentences below. Remember, these nouns identify something immaterial and abstract that cannot be experienced using any of the five senses.

1. His fear consumed him like a hungry beast consumes its prey.

• In this sentence, fear is the only abstract noun because it is the only noun that cannot be experienced using any of the five senses. Other nouns such as beast and prey can immediately be visualized in our minds, making these nouns concrete.

2. Her unwillingness to reach an agreement stalled the proceedings .

• In this sentence , unwillingness, agreement, and proceedings are all abstract nouns that express something immaterial and cannot be experienced using any of the five senses.

3. His worry over the Friday night game consumed him and caused his failure on his biology exam.

• In this sentence , worry and failure are both abstract nouns that identify something immaterial and cannot be experienced using any of the five senses.

4. One of Abraham Lincoln’s goals as president was to end slavery and declare freedom from forced servitude .

• In this sentence , slavery, freedom, and servitude are all abstract nouns because they all represent something immaterial that cannot be experienced using the five senses.

5. In his sonnets, Shakespeare often wrote about love , comparing his subject to the beauty of the natural world.

• In this sentence, love and beauty are both abstract nouns that express something immaterial that cannot be experienced using the five senses.

Pro tip : When evaluating whether a noun is abstract, ask yourself, “Can I experience it using one or more of the five senses? If the answer is no, then the noun is abstract.”

For additional practice, check out Concrete and Abstract Nouns content on Albert.

Try for Yourself: Concrete and Abstract Nouns Quiz

Feeling confident in your understanding of concrete and abstract nouns?

Take this short six-question quiz to see what you’ve learned:

1. Does a concrete noun identify something material or immaterial?

• Answer: Material
• Correct Explanation: That’s right! A concrete noun identifies something material like a car, a ball, or a dog.
• Incorrect Explanation: Sorry, that’s not right! Remember, a concrete noun identifies something material that can be experienced by one or more of the five senses.

2. Does an abstract noun identify something material or immaterial?

• Answer: Immaterial
• Correct Explanation: That’s right! An abstract noun identifies something abstract or immaterial like justice, freedom, or peace.
• Incorrect Explanation: Sorry, that’s not right! Remember, an abstract noun identifies something immaterial that cannot be experienced by any of the five senses.

3. In this sentence, are the underlined words concrete or abstract nouns ?

“We will not be satisfied until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream ” (King Jr.). 

• Answer: Concrete
• Correct Explanation: That’s right! The nouns waters and stream are concrete because they refer to something material that can be both seen and touched.

4. In this sentence, are the underlined words concrete or abstract nouns ?

“We will not be satisfied until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream” (King Jr.). 

• Answer: Abstract
• Correct Explanation: That’s right! The nouns justice and righteousness are both abstract because they refer to something immaterial that cannot be experienced by any of the five senses.

5. In this sentence, are the underlined words concrete or abstract nouns ?

The love I have for her knows no limit . 

• Correct Explanation: That’s right! The nouns love and limit are both abstract because they refer to something immaterial that cannot be experienced by any of the five senses.

6. In this sentence, are the underlined words concrete or abstract nouns ?

The excited puppy let out a delighted bark as he played contentedly with his red rubber ball . 

• Correct Explanation: That’s right! The nouns puppy, bark , and ball are concrete because they refer to something material that can be both seen and touched.
• Incorrect Explanation: Sorry, that’s not right!  Remember, a concrete noun identifies something material that can be experienced by one or more of the five senses. 

For additional practice with concrete and abstract nouns, check out our practice on Albert: Concrete and Abstract Nouns .

Teacher’s Corner for Concrete and Abstract Nouns

Concrete and abstract nouns are a foundational, third grade grammar skill according to the Common Core State Standards , the Common Core English Language Progressive Skills Chart shows that even elementary-level skills “require continued attention in higher grades as they are applied to increasingly sophisticated writing and speaking.”

Albert’s concrete and abstract nouns practice can be used for more than just homework! Our assessments can be used as pre-and post-tests to measure student progress. Our pre-made quizzes can be used as bell-ringers, exit tickets, and more!

In addition to our pre-made assessments, you can also use our assignments feature to create your own quizzes and assessments.

Summary on Concrete and Abstract Nouns

Concrete nouns identify something material and non-abstract that can be experienced by one or more of the five senses.

Abstract nouns identify something immaterial and abstract that cannot be experienced by any of the five senses.

Concrete and abstract nouns can be used in tandem with one another or separately. Be sure to check out our grammar course for more concrete and abstract noun practice.

You can also access over 3,400 high-quality questions that address nearly every grammatical concept.

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Understanding an Abstract Noun (Definition, Examples, Word List)

What is an abstract noun? How is it different from a common noun ? What are words that represent an abstract noun? These are all great questions that you probably have . Abstract nouns can get confusing when comparing them to regular common nouns or proper nouns. This comprehensive guide will break down the abstract noun, its use , and the functions that grammatically govern it.

What is an abstract noun? 

An abstract noun is a type of noun that represents intangible things. Things you can’t perceive with the five primary senses in the human body (taste, touch, smell, etc.).

Abstract noun definition 

As the name suggests, an abstract noun is a noun type. It refers to an intangible idea (one that you cannot fathom using your five senses). Such intangible concepts could include emotions, qualities, ideas, etc.

All nouns that do not have a tangible or physical object to refer to fall under the bracket of abstract nouns . Abstract nouns are widely used in English proverbs. 

Some common examples include health, wealth, parenthood, anger, courage, and more. 

Abstract noun compared to other nouns 

Nouns are an essential part of speech. They are instrumental in naming places, people, objects, animals, and intangible ideas.

You may have noticed that whenever you write a sentence , you are using at least one noun in it.

Nouns can get used differently in different sentence formations. Their functions can vary. Here are the main types of nouns you could use in a complete sentence:

Proper Nouns

Proper nouns are naming agents for places, people, or things. They usually start with a capital letter. 

For example:

• My name is Lisa. (Lisa is the proper noun )
• John lives in Finland. (Finland is the proper noun)
• Jazz is a famous book. (Jazz is the proper noun)

Common Nouns 

Nouns that refer to generic things are referred to as common nouns . 

• I bought a new book yesterday. (Book is the common noun)
• There is a pigeon on the windowsill. (Pigeon is the common noun)
• Rob bought a blue car. (Car is the common noun)

Countable Nouns 

Nouns that can be measured or counted are called countable nouns . 

• I take two spoons of sugar in my tea. (“Two” is the countable noun )
• She bought a dozen bananas at the market. (“A dozen” is the countable noun) 

Uncountable Nouns 

Nouns that cannot be measured or counted are called uncountable nouns. 

• I have plenty of homework. (Plenty is the uncountable noun)
• Is that enough milk in your coffee? (Enough is the uncountable noun)

Collective Nouns 

Collective nouns depict a group of objects, people, animals, and more. 

• A flock of sheep 
• A pile of books 
• A school of fish 
• A bevy of women 

Concrete Nouns 

Also referred to as material nouns, concrete nouns refer to things that have a physical presence and can be perceived using the five senses. 

Abstract Nouns 

Any noun that is intangible or which cannot be perceived using the five senses is an abstract noun . 

• Bravery is a virtue. (Bravery is the abstract noun)
• My childhood was merry and fun . (Childhood is the abstract noun)

Abstract nouns in comparison to concrete nouns 

Concrete noun, as the name suggests, includes all those objects which have a physical presence and are tangible. They can be perceived with the help of our five senses. These include nouns such as book, pen, cup, table silk, door, car, and so on. 

• I travel to school by bus . (School and bus are both concrete nouns )
• Sally opened the door. (Door is the concrete noun) 

Abstract nouns include everything that is intangible and cannot be perceived by the five senses. These include emotions, feelings, ideas, and more. 

• Honesty is the best policy. (Honesty is the abstract noun)
• Freedom is my birthright. (Freedom is the abstract noun) 

Abstract noun word list 

Here are some examples of abstract nouns based on their kind. 

• Feelings – sympathy, fear, anxiety, stress, pleasure
• State – Chaos, peace, misery, freedom
• Emotions – anger, joy, sorrow, hate 
• Qualities – determination, courage, honesty, generosity, patience 
• Concepts – democracy, charity, deceit, opportunity, comfort 
• Moments – career, death, marriage, childhood, birth 

More examples of commonly used abstract nouns

• Bravery 
• Brilliance 
• Childhood 
• Comfort 
• Compassion 
• Communication 
• Curiosity 
• Culture 
• Dedication 
• Energy 
• Faith 
• Friendship 
• Gossip 
• Information 
• Imagination 
• Intelligence 
• Integrity 
• Justice 
• Knowledge 
• Kindness 
• Liberty 
• Loyalty 
• Luxury 
• Motivation 
• Perseverance 
• Relaxation 
• Skill 
• Satisfaction 
• Strength 
• Success 
• Thought 
• Talent 
• Truth 
• Trust 
• Wisdom 
• Warmth 

Sentence examples with abstract nouns 

The following are three sentence examples with abstract nouns – 

• This cafe has a pleasant ambiance. (Ambiance is the abstract noun)
• Pride is a deadly sin. (Pride is the abstract noun)
• My friendship with Peter is of seven years . (Friendship is the abstract noun) 

Conversion of Verbs and Adjectives into Abstract Nouns 

Convert verbs and adjectives into abstract nouns by adding a suffix . The reverse is also a possibility. 

• Perceive – Perception 
• Inform – Information 
• Determine – Determination 
• Dark – Darkness 
• Silent – Silence

Why are abstract nouns important? 

Abstract nouns are tricky. Use concrete nouns to make them understandable in sentences. Abstract nouns are not of much use from a business point of view.

However, they are an integral part of any English grammar course. Conversions between abstract nouns and verbs or adjectives are essential while learning complete sentence construction.

Yes, warmth is an abstract noun. 

The abstract form of ability (abstract noun) is able.

Five examples of abstract nouns include honesty, glory, patience, determination, and truth.

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Fact checked: Content is rigorously reviewed by a team of qualified and experienced fact checkers. Fact checkers review articles for factual accuracy, relevance, and timeliness. Learn more.

About the author

Dalia Y.: Dalia is an English Major and linguistics expert with an additional degree in Psychology. Dalia has featured articles on Forbes, Inc, Fast Company, Grammarly, and many more. She covers English, ESL, and all things grammar on GrammarBrain.

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Abstract Nouns: A Guide to Writing with Clarity and Precision

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Posted on Last updated: August 18, 2023

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Welcome to our article on abstract nouns! If you’re learning English grammar, you’ve probably come across these elusive nouns that can be tough to define. Abstract nouns are words that represent intangible concepts, such as emotions, ideas, and qualities. Unlike concrete nouns, which refer to physical objects, abstract nouns are a bit more challenging to grasp.

In this article, we’ll explore what abstract nouns are, how to use them correctly, and why they’re an essential part of English grammar. We’ll provide plenty of examples to help you understand abstract nouns better and show you how to identify them in a sentence. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced English learner, this article will provide you with the tools you need to master abstract nouns. So, let’s dive in!

Abstract Nouns

Understanding Abstract Nouns

If you’re learning English, you’ve probably come across the term “abstract noun.” Abstract nouns are a type of noun that refer to ideas, concepts, and emotions that cannot be touched or seen. They are the opposite of concrete nouns, which refer to physical objects that can be perceived with our senses.

To help you understand abstract nouns better, let’s take a look at some examples:

• Intelligence

As you can see, these words are not things that you can touch or see. They are concepts that we use to describe ideas and emotions.

One way to identify an abstract noun is to look for nouns that end in -ness, -ity, -tion, -ment, or -ance. For example:

• Communication
• Development

These endings are often used to form abstract nouns from other parts of speech, such as adjectives and verbs.

It’s important to note that abstract nouns can be difficult to define and understand because they are intangible. However, they are an essential part of the English language and are used frequently in both spoken and written communication.

Abstract Nouns vs. Concrete Nouns

Nouns are words that name people, places, things, or ideas. They can be classified into two broad categories: abstract nouns and concrete nouns.

Concrete nouns are physical things that can be seen, touched, heard, tasted, or smelled. Examples of concrete nouns include dog, ball, ice cream, and perfume.

Abstract nouns, on the other hand, are non-physical ideas or concepts that cannot be perceived through the senses. They are intangible and exist only in the mind. Examples of abstract nouns include love, freedom, happiness, and courage.

Usage Comparison

Concrete nouns are used to describe things that can be experienced through the senses. They are often used in descriptive writing to create vivid images in the reader’s mind.

Abstract nouns, on the other hand, are used to describe things that cannot be experienced through the senses. They are often used in persuasive writing to convey emotions, ideas, and concepts.

Here are some examples to help you understand the difference between concrete and abstract nouns:

Identifying Abstract Nouns

As we learned in the previous section, abstract nouns refer to intangible concepts, ideas, and qualities that cannot be touched or seen. Identifying abstract nouns can be challenging, especially for non-native English speakers. However, with a little practice, you can easily distinguish abstract nouns from concrete nouns.

Here are some tips to help you identify abstract nouns:

• Look for words that represent emotions, feelings, or states of mind, such as love, happiness, sadness, anger, fear, and courage.
• Identify words that describe qualities or characteristics, such as beauty, honesty, intelligence, and kindness.
• Notice words that represent concepts, ideas, or theories, such as democracy , freedom, justice, and equality.
• Pay attention to words that represent actions or processes, such as communication, cooperation, and development.

Usage of Abstract Nouns in Sentences

Expressing Emotions

Abstract nouns are commonly used to express emotions. They can describe feelings like happiness, sadness, anger, or love. Using abstract nouns to describe emotions can add depth and nuance to your writing, and it can help you convey your thoughts and feelings more effectively.

For example:

• I felt a surge of joy when I saw my dog after a long day at work.
• Her eyes were filled with sadness when she heard the news.
• His anger boiled over when he realized he had been betrayed.

Describing Concepts

Abstract nouns are also used to describe concepts and ideas. They can represent things like justice, freedom, democracy, or equality. Using abstract nouns to describe concepts can help you convey complex ideas in a concise and straightforward manner.

• The concept of democracy is based on the idea of equal representation.
• Justice is a fundamental principle in any civilized society.
• The pursuit of happiness is a universal human desire.

Representing Ideas

Abstract nouns are essential in representing ideas. They can represent things like knowledge, wisdom, creativity, or innovation. Using abstract nouns to represent ideas can help you convey your thoughts and ideas more effectively.

• Knowledge is the key to success in any field.
• Wisdom comes with experience and reflection.
• Creativity is the ability to think outside the box and come up with new ideas.

Common Mistakes with Abstract Nouns

Abstract nouns can be tricky to use correctly, and many writers make common mistakes when using them. Here are a few of the most common mistakes and how to avoid them:

Mistake #1: Confusing Abstract Nouns with Concrete Nouns

One of the most common mistakes when using abstract nouns is confusing them with concrete nouns. Concrete nouns refer to physical objects that can be seen, touched, heard, smelled, or tasted. Abstract nouns, on the other hand, refer to ideas, concepts, emotions, and qualities that cannot be perceived by the senses.

For example, “love” is an abstract noun, while “book” is a concrete noun. Confusing these two types of nouns can lead to awkward or confusing sentences. To avoid this mistake, make sure you understand the difference between abstract and concrete nouns and use them correctly in your writing.

Mistake #2: Overusing Abstract Nouns

Another common mistake is overusing abstract nouns in your writing. While abstract nouns can add depth and complexity to your writing, using too many of them can make your writing sound vague and abstract.

For example, instead of writing “the beauty of nature,” try writing “the colorful leaves rustling in the autumn breeze.” This sentence still conveys the idea of beauty, but it also includes concrete details that make the writing more vivid and engaging.

Mistake #4: Using Abstract Nouns without Context

Using abstract nouns without providing context can also be a mistake. Abstract nouns can be difficult to understand without a frame of reference. For example, instead of writing “the importance of education,” write “the importance of education in shaping a person’s future.”

Providing context helps readers understand the abstract noun and its significance. Without context, abstract nouns can seem vague and meaningless.

Tips to Master Abstract Nouns

Abstract nouns can be tricky to master, but with a few tips, you can improve your understanding and use of them in your writing. Here are some tips to help you master abstract nouns:

Tip 1: Identify Abstract Nouns

The first step to mastering abstract nouns is to identify them. Abstract nouns refer to intangible ideas, feelings, qualities, or concepts that you cannot see, touch, or smell. Some examples of abstract nouns include love, beauty, freedom, and happiness. To identify abstract nouns in a sentence, look for words that describe things that cannot be perceived by the five senses.

Tip 2: Use Concrete Examples

One way to master abstract nouns is to use concrete examples to illustrate them. For example, instead of just saying “happiness,” you could say “the happiness I felt when I saw my family after a long time.” Using concrete examples helps to clarify the meaning of abstract nouns and makes your writing more engaging.

Tip 3: Use the Right Articles

Another tip for mastering abstract nouns is to use the right articles. Abstract nouns are usually uncountable, so they are often preceded by the articles “a,” “an,” or “the.”

Tip 4: Use the Right Adjectives

When using abstract nouns, it’s important to use the right adjectives to describe them. Adjectives like “strong,” “positive,” and “negative” can be used to describe abstract nouns like “willpower,” “attitude,” and “emotion.” Using the right adjectives helps to convey the meaning of abstract nouns more clearly.

Tip 5: Practice, Practice, Practice

Finally, the best way to master abstract nouns is to practice using them in your writing. Try to use abstract nouns in your sentences and paragraphs, and ask for feedback from others to see if your meaning is clear. The more you practice, the more confident you will become in using abstract nouns correctly.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some examples of abstract nouns?

Some examples of abstract nouns include love, happiness, justice, freedom, and courage. These nouns refer to concepts or ideas that cannot be seen or touched but are still important in our lives.

How do abstract nouns differ from concrete nouns?

Abstract nouns refer to intangible concepts or ideas, while concrete nouns refer to things that can be seen, touched, or experienced through the senses. For example, while love is an abstract noun, a tree is a concrete noun.

Can you provide some sentences with abstract nouns?

Sure! Here are some examples:

• The beauty of the sunset took my breath away.
• His kindness towards others is admirable.
• The freedom to express ourselves is a basic human right.
• The sadness in her eyes was palpable.

What is the importance of using abstract nouns in writing?

Abstract nouns can add depth and complexity to your writing by allowing you to explore complex ideas and emotions. They can also help you create a more vivid and sensory experience for your readers.

How can children learn about abstract nouns?

One way to teach children about abstract nouns is to encourage them to think about concepts or ideas that cannot be seen or touched. You can also provide them with examples of abstract nouns and ask them to identify the noun in a sentence.

What are some common abstract noun phrases?

Some common abstract noun phrases include:

• A sense of purpose
• A feeling of joy
• A state of confusion
• An attitude of gratitude
• A moment of reflection

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By using abstract noun phrases, you can convey complex ideas and emotions in a concise and powerful way.

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Is "homework" countable?

I was wondering if "homework" is countable? I remember it is an uncountable noun when I learned English in middle school.

Suppose now I would like to ask my teacher to hand back my graded "homeworks" of last three times. How shall I ask him?

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4 Answers 4

"Homework" is uncountable since it is treated as a general meaning not a particular item, like "work", "money" etc.

In your case, use "assignment" instead.

May I have my last three graded assignments back please?

• Both 'work' and 'money' are countified and have well-documented plural forms. 'Homeworks' has not got the same pedigree, though some dictionaries license it with caveats. –  Edwin Ashworth Commented Jun 22, 2019 at 18:44

While I've seen the word homeworks used, I've never seen anything legitimate to indicate that it's correct. In any case, you can use the term homework assignments to refer to multiple homework items. That's a fairly common term, at least in American English.

• Thanks! But I don't ask my teacher for assignments, but my homework that I have worked out and handed to my teacher, and the homework is from last three times. How shall I ask him? –  Tim Commented May 22, 2011 at 1:39
• 1 @Tim: In American English, assignments is used for what you describe. In British English, homeworks is at least marginally acceptable — we used it at at least one school I went to, although I do remember it feeling awkward/slangy to me at first. –  PLL Commented May 22, 2011 at 8:10
• What I’ve seen to indicate it is correct is its frequent use by native speakers –  Casey Commented Nov 20, 2021 at 22:37

Traditionally, it is not countable, and most dictionaries list it as such.

However, the Merriam-Webster thesaurus (although not the Merriam-Webster dictionary) does have an entry for homeworks . Moreover, the plural form is used by at least some groups of educated native speakers.

One's best bet is to try to find out if one's audience belongs to a group that tends to use homeworks . If yes, then go ahead and use that word yourself. If not, rephrase as homework assignments or something similar.

Merriam-Webster Thesaurus

Notice that the Merriam-Webster thesaurus has the following entry :

homeworks noun plural of homework Synonyms of homeworks as in schoolwork Synonyms & Near Synonyms for homeworks schoolwork assignments, lessons, reading lectures drills, exercises, practices (also practises ) études, studies

(Interestingly, the Merriam-Webster dictionary entry does not give a plural form for homework .)

Examples of usage by educated native speakers

Such examples are not hard to find at all. For instance, American professors of linguistics, physics, and mathematics, at least, use the word homeworks quite frequently.

All of the examples below are from native speakers, as best as I can tell.

Here are five examples from linguistics professors:

Final grades will be calculated as follows: 30% for homeworks, 20% for the midterm, … Penny Eckert and Ivan A. Sag , Linguistics 1: Introduction to Linguistics (Syllabus), 2011, here . Late assignments are not accepted, but your two lowest-scoring homeworks will be dropped. Adam Jardine , Introduction to Linguistic Theory (Honors) (Syllabus), 2018, here . Homeworks are due at the beginning of class on the days indicated. Emily M. Bender, Linguistics 461: Introduction to Syntax (Syllabus), here . If turned in ​complete​, the homeworks will be graded 8 (well below average), 9 (average), or 10 (well above average​); but 0 if not done. Anthony C. Woodbury, Linguistics 306: Introduction to the study of language (Syllabus), here . Homeworks: 25% (lowest score dropped) Dani Byrd and Toby Mintz , Ling 275: Language & Mind (Syllabus), 2006, here .

Here are five examples from physics professors:

Some homeworks are 'secret' assessment exercises: General GRE, Praxis and Major Field Tests Richard Robinett, Penn State Physics Undergraduate Program Better Practices, 2010, p. 12 here . Homeworks are like sports practice Tom Moore , Teaching General Relativity with Tensors, 2006, here . These concepts can be introduced to students through labs, homeworks, and discussion questions. Brianna Billingsley and Cory Christenson, Incorporating Non-Western Contributions Into the Intro Physics Curriculum, 2019, here . With their flexible design, PhET sims are used in many ways—as demos, homeworks, or inexpensive, accessible lab alternatives—and getting started is easy with our database of over 500 activities. Katherine K. Perkins, Teaching Physics with PhET Simulations: Engaging Students and Increasing Learning (Abstract) 2012, p. 58 here . In this talk, we will outline the reforms—including consensus learning goals, “clicker” questions, tutorials, modified homeworks, and more—and present evidence of the effectiveness of these reforms relative to traditional courses. Katherine K. Perkins, Steven Pollock, Stephanie Chasteen, Steve Goldhaber, Rachel Pepper, Michael Dubson, and Paul Beale, Colorado's Transformed Upper-Division E&M and QM courses: Description and Results (Abstract) 2010, p. 119 here .

And here are five examples from mathematics professors:

Homeworks 1-3 David Blecher, here . There will be two midterm exams, weekly homeworks, and a final exam. Scott Sutherland, MAT 141: Honors Calculus 1 (syllabus), 2012, here . MIT 3.016 Homeworks W. Craig Carter, Mathematics for Materials Science and Engineers, MIT 3.016 (syllabus), 2011, (here) . Click on the link 'Problem Sets and Solutions'; you will reach this page , which is where the word homeworks appears (in the page heading). Homeworks (41/42 Track); Homeworks (51 Track) Andrew Schultz, SSEA 2006: Mathematics Track, 2006, here . All homeworks, except the first one, are due on Thursday at 3:30pm Mike Clancy and David Wagner, CS 70, Spring 2005: Discrete Mathematics for Computer Science, 2005, here .

In searching for examples, I also saw examples of similar usage by professors of comparative literature , philosophy, computer science, chemistry, and sociology.

• Even Wiktionary fails to concede the plural form as a possibility, but this is doubtless an ongoing countification (and 10 years is a substantial time for the evolution to progress). –  Edwin Ashworth Commented Nov 20, 2021 at 16:42
• American professors of physics and mathematics, at least, use the word homeworks... I wonder if I should take seriously pronouncements on quantum physics by English professors... –  Greybeard Commented Nov 20, 2021 at 18:18
• @EdwinAshworth I just looked at Wiktionary , and it says 'usually uncountable, plural homeworks '. The edit that added that note was on 5 October 2015‎. So indeed, things change in ten years! –  linguisticturn Commented Nov 21, 2021 at 17:18
• Whoops, I had SimpleWiktionary , which I didn't know existed. Obviously homeworks is harder. –  Edwin Ashworth Commented Nov 21, 2021 at 17:53
• @Greybeard Apologies if your comment was meant as a joke, but if it wasn't (and for the benefit of those who don't take it as a joke), the answer is, no you shouldn't. And indeed, conversely, if physics or math professors were to start making 'pronouncements' about whether a particular word is acceptable English, you shouldn't take that seriously, either. But that's not what's going on in my answer. My answer simply points out that there is a U.S.-wide, loosely connected group of educated native speakers who rather frequently and unselfconsciously use homeworks in day-to-day life. –  linguisticturn Commented Nov 21, 2021 at 18:38

Ask for "items" or "pieces" of homework.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged nouns uncountable-nouns countable-nouns or ask your own question .

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• Nouns and pronouns
• Abstract Noun | Definition, Examples & Worksheet

Abstract Noun | Definition, Examples & Worksheet

Published on 25 February 2023 by Jack Caulfield . Revised on 18 April 2023.

An abstract noun is a noun that refers to something non-physical – something conceptual that you can’t perceive directly with your senses. Examples include ‘sadness’, ‘analysis’, ‘government’, and ‘adulthood’.

Abstract nouns are contrasted with concrete nouns , which are words like ‘cat’, ‘desk’, or ‘Andrew’ that refer to physical objects and entities.

The passage of time isn’t easy to perceive.

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Table of contents

Abstract nouns vs concrete nouns, abstract noun examples, formation of abstract nouns, worksheet: concrete vs abstract nouns, other interesting language articles, frequently asked questions.

Abstract nouns differ from concrete nouns in terms of what they describe:

• Abstract nouns refer to anything that isn’t directly observable. That could mean personal qualities, measurements of time, cultural movements, or concepts.
• Concrete nouns refer to what can be perceived with the senses: things, people, animals, and places.

The same word could often be interpreted as abstract or concrete depending on your perspective and on the context in which it is used. The distinction is often very subjective.

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Abstract nouns represent a wide variety of things – anything that isn’t represented by a concrete noun, in fact. The table below explores a few different categories of things that abstract nouns can refer to.

A lot (though not all) of the examples given in the previous section followed a few specific patterns in terms of the suffixes they ended with (e.g., ‘-ness’, ‘-ism’).

This is because abstract nouns are formed from adjectives , verbs , and other nouns in a number of standard ways. Common ways of forming abstract nouns are shown in the table below.

Want to test your understanding of the difference between concrete and abstract nouns? Try the worksheet below. Just decide whether each highlighted noun is concrete or abstract .

• Practice questions
• Answers and explanations
• The dog seemed to enjoy its dinner .
• The price of adhering to one’s principles can be high.
• The name of my cat is Whiskers .
• The foundations of the house have begun to sink due to a lack of maintenance .
• My neighbour John has some questionable ideas about politics .
• Both ‘dog’ and ‘dinner’ are concrete nouns , since they represent physical entities in the world.
• ‘Price’ and ‘ principles ‘ are both abstract nouns because you can’t touch or see a principle or a price (although you might see something representing a price, so a noun like ‘price tag’ would be considered concrete).
• The concept of a name is abstract. ‘Cat’ is a concrete noun because a cat is a physical being. ‘Whiskers’ is concrete whether you take it to mean the speaker’s cat or simply the word ‘Whiskers’ in its use as a name – both of these can be perceived with the senses.
• ‘Foundations’ and ‘house’ both represent specific physical things and are therefore concrete nouns. ‘Lack’ and ‘maintenance’ are both more conceptual and are therefore abstract.
• Both the common noun ‘neighbour’ and the proper noun ‘John’ (here used as an appositive ) are concrete nouns, since they refer to people. ‘Ideas’ and ‘politics’ are both abstract because they refer to concepts rather than physical things.

If you want to know more about commonly confused words, definitions, common mistakes, and differences between US and UK spellings, make sure to check out some of our other language articles with explanations, examples, and quizzes.

Nouns & pronouns

• Common nouns
• Proper nouns
• Collective nouns
• Personal pronouns
• Uncountable and countable nouns
• Verb tenses
• Phrasal verbs
• Sentence structure
• Active vs passive voice
• Subject-verb agreement
• Interjections
• Determiners
• Prepositions

There are many ways to categorize nouns into various types, and the same noun can fall into multiple categories or even change types depending on context.

Some of the main types of nouns are:

• Common nouns and proper nouns
• Countable and uncountable nouns
• Concrete and abstract nouns
• Possessive nouns
• Attributive nouns
• Appositive nouns
• Generic nouns

An abstract noun is a noun describing something that can’t be directly perceived with the senses .

Abstract nouns may refer to general or philosophical concepts (e.g., “art,” “democracy,” “evidence”), emotions and personal qualities (e.g., “happiness,” “impatience”), time measurements (e.g., “hours,” “January”), or states of being (e.g., “solidity,” “instability”).

Abstract nouns are the opposite of concrete nouns , which refer to physical things that can be perceived with the senses: objects, substances, places, people and animals, and so on. For example, “window,” “Dorian,” and “sand.”

A concrete noun is a noun describing a physical entity that can be perceived with the senses . Concrete nouns may refer to things (e.g., “phone,” “hat”), places (e.g., “France,” “the post office”), or people and animals (e.g., “dog,” “doctor,” “Jamal”).

Concrete nouns are contrasted with abstract nouns , which refer to things that can’t be directly perceived—ideas, theories, concepts, and so on. Examples include “happiness,” “condemnation,” “ethics,” and “time.”

Sources for this article

We strongly encourage students to use sources in their work. You can cite our article (APA Style) or take a deep dive into the articles below.

Caulfield, J. (2023, April 18). Abstract Noun | Definition, Examples & Worksheet. Scribbr. Retrieved 12 August 2024, from https://www.scribbr.co.uk/nouns/abstract-nouns/

Aarts, B. (2011). Oxford modern English grammar . Oxford University Press.

Butterfield, J. (Ed.). (2015). Fowler’s dictionary of modern English usage (4th ed.). Oxford University Press.

Garner, B. A. (2016). Garner’s modern English usage (4th ed.). Oxford University Press.

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Definition of homework noun from the Oxford Advanced American Dictionary

• acquire/get/lack experience/training/(an) education
• receive/provide somebody with training
• develop/design/plan a curriculum/course/program/syllabus
• give/go to/attend a class/lesson/lecture/seminar
• hold/run/conduct a class/seminar/workshop
• moderate/lead/facilitate a discussion
• sign up for/take a course/classes/lessons
• go to/start preschool/kindergarten/nursery school
• be in the first, second, etc. grade (at school)
• study/take/drop history/chemistry/German, etc.
• finish/drop out of/quit school
• graduate from high school/college
• be the victim/target of bullying/teasing
• skip/cut/ ( informal ) ditch class/school
• cheat on an exam/a test
• get/be given a detention (for doing something)
• be expelled from/be suspended from school
• do your homework/a project on something
• work on/write/do/submit an essay/a dissertation/a thesis/an assignment/a paper
• finish/complete your dissertation/thesis/studies
• hand in/turn in your homework/essay/assignment/paper
• study/prepare/review/ ( informal ) cram for a test/an exam
• take/ ( formal ) sit for a test/an exam
• grade homework/a test
• do well on/ ( informal ) ace a test/an exam
• pass/fail/ ( informal ) flunk a test/an exam/a class/a course/a subject
• apply to/get into/go to/start college
• leave/graduate from college (with a degree in computer science)/law school
• study for/work towards a law degree/a degree in physics
• major/minor in biology/philosophy
• earn/receive/be awarded/get/have/hold a master's degree/a bachelor's degree/a Ph.D. in economics

Want to learn more?

Find out which words work together and produce more natural-sounding English with the Oxford Collocations Dictionary app. Try it for free as part of the Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary app.

Homework is a noun. Ex:

I am doing my homework .

Go do your homework .

You have homework tonight.

It is a noun because it is a thing YEY.

The word homework is a noun ; a word for a form of study or preparation; a word for a thing.

Example: I hate this stupid homework. ( homework is the noun and stupid is the adjective that describes the homework)

No, the word 'homework' is a noun , a word for a thing.

A pronoun is a word that takes the place of a noun in a sentence.

I do have some homework but it is almost finished. (the pronoun 'it' takes the place of the noun 'homework' in the second part of the sentence)

Add your answer:

What is a objective noun?

An 'object noun' is a noun that functions as the object of a verb or a preposition.Examples:The dog ate my homework. (the noun 'homework is the direct object of the verb 'ate')I gave the teacher flowers. (the noun 'teacher' is the indirect object of the verb 'gave'; the direct object is the noun 'flowers')The teacher gave me an A for effort. (the noun 'effort' is the object of the preposition 'for')

Is finish a possessive adjective?

No, the word 'finish' is a noun (finish, finishes) and a verb (finish, finishes, finishing, finished).Examples:The finish on her table is in perfect condition. (noun)I can finish my homework after work. (verb)A possessive adjective is a pronoun that is placed before a noun to describe that noun as belonging to someone or something.The possessive adjectives are: my, your, our, his, her, their, its.Examples:The finish on her table is in perfect condition. (noun)I can finish my homework after work. (verb)

What is the plural form of the word homework?

The collective noun for the noun 'homework' is a slew of homework.

Is does followed by singular verb?

No.Does is a singular verb, it is the third person singular form of do. Use does with third person singular pronouns - he she it - or singular noun subjects eg:He does his homework every night.The boy does his homework every night.

What is the abstract noun for please?

The abstract noun form for the verb to please is the gerund, pleasing.A related abstract noun form is pleasure.

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• Nouns: Definitions, Types, and Examples

Everything You Need to Know About Nouns

Nouns are fundamental building blocks of language. They are words that name people, places, things, or ideas. Understanding nouns helps us form sentences and communicate clearly. Vedantu offers study materials for learning about nouns. Their resources include interactive lessons and practice exercises that make it easier to understand the concept. With Vedantu’s materials, students can learn different types of nouns in a fun and engaging way. This article are prepared to simplify complex ideas and help learners build a strong foundation in grammar.

Nouns are words that name people, places, animals, things, or ideas. For example, "cat" names an animal, "school" names a place, and "joy" names an idea. Almost every sentence uses nouns because they help us identify who or what we are talking about.

Nouns can have different roles in a sentence:

Subject: The main focus of the sentence (e.g., "The cat sleeps").

Direct Object: What the action is done to (e.g., "She pets the cat").

Indirect Object: Who receives something (e.g., "She gives the cat food").

Subject Complement: Describes the subject (e.g., "The cat is a pet").

Object Complement: Describes the direct object (e.g., "They named the cat Whiskers").

Nouns can also act like adjectives , describing other nouns (e.g., "ice cream" where "ice" describes "cream"), and sometimes they can act like verbs (e.g., "to hammer" where "hammer" can be a verb).

Some Examples of Nouns

People: Names of individuals or groups, like Mary, Mounika, Rakshitha, or The President.

Places: Locations or areas, like Bangalore, India, or The Nile River.

Animals/Birds/Aquatic Animals/Reptiles: Living creatures, such as Lion, Zebra, Cat, or Shark.

Ideas: Things you think about but can't touch, like Happiness, Freedom, or Destruction.

Objects/Things: Physical items you can see and touch, like Bat, Cycle, or Cupboard.

Nouns help us name and talk about everything around us, making it easier to share information.

Types of Nouns With Examples

There are different types of noun, each with a unique purpose. Knowing these types helps us talk clearly about people, places, things, and ideas. Nouns are broadly classified into:

1. Proper Nouns

Proper Noun are those nouns which names specific people, places, or things and always start with a capital letter. They refer to unique entities rather than general items.

For Example:

Emily is my best friend. ("Emily" is the name of a particular person)

Max is my friend’s pet. ("Max" is the name of a specific pet dog)

I went to Tokyo last year. ("Tokyo" is the name of a particular city)

Nike is my favorite brand. ("Nike" is the name of a specific sports brand)

Using proper nouns helps to clearly identify and distinguish unique items or individuals in conversation.

2. Common Nouns

Common nouns are words that name general people, places, things, or ideas, rather than specific ones. They refer to ordinary objects or groups and are not capitalized unless they start a sentence.

For Example

I borrowed a book from the library for my research. (Refers to any book, not a specific title.)

The children played in the park near their house. (Refers to any park, not a specific one.)

The students were excited about the upcoming field trip. (Refers to any group of students, not a specific group.)

She placed the vase on the table in the living room. (Refers to any table, not a particular one.)

Common nouns help us talk about general things and are used in everyday language.

3. Singular Nouns

Singular nouns are words used to name just one person, place, animal, or thing. They focus on a single entity rather than more than one.

"She is a talented artist." (One person)

"The park is close to my house." (One place)

"I saw a fluffy cat in the garden." (One animal)

"He bought a new laptop yesterday." (One object)

Singular nouns help us refer to individual items or beings clearly and specifically.

4. Plural Nouns

Plural nouns refer to more than one person, place, animal, or thing. To make a noun plural, we usually add an "s" or "es" to the end of the word. For example, "cat" becomes "cats," and "box" becomes "boxes." Some nouns that end in "y" change to "ies," like "city" to "cities." There are also nouns that change in a different way or stay the same in both singular and plural forms. For instance, "deer" remains "deer" whether one or many.

I need some books .

Did you find the chairs you wanted?

We saw many birds in the park.

She bought tomatoes from the store.

5. Countable Nouns

Countable nouns are things we can count or measure individually. They have both singular and plural forms. For example, you can say "one apple" or "five apples," where "apple" can be counted.

"She bought three books for the vacation." (Specific number – three)

"We need four chairs for the meeting." (Specific number – four)

"I saw a cat in the garden." (Specific – a means one)

These nouns help us specify exactly how many of something there are.

6. Uncountable Nouns:

Uncountable nouns are words for things we cannot count individually. Instead of saying "one tea" or "two weather," we use these nouns in a general sense.

"I have a lot of homework to do." (Homework is a general amount, not counted individually.)

"I need some milk for the recipe." (Milk is measured by quantity, not counted.)

"The weather is nice today." (Weather is not counted but described as a whole.)

These nouns often use words like "some," "a little," or "much" to describe quantity. Uncountable Nouns are further classified into concrete and abstract nouns.

7. Concrete Nouns:

Concrete nouns are names for things that you can see, touch, hear, smell, or taste. They refer to physical objects that exist in the real world and can be experienced through our senses.

"The chair is in the room." (You can see and touch the chair.)

"She ate a slice of cake." (You can taste and smell the cake.)

"The music is playing loudly." (You can hear the music.)

"The dog slept on the rug." (You can see and touch the rug and the dog.)

Concrete nouns help us talk about things that are physically present around us.

8. Abstract Nouns:

Abstract nouns name things that we cannot see, touch, hear, smell, or taste. They represent ideas, feelings, or qualities that exist in our minds rather than in the physical world.

"She felt pure happiness when she saw her family after a long time." (Happiness is a feeling that you can experience but can't touch.)

"His bravery was evident when he helped others during the emergency."(Bravery is a quality that shows someone's inner strength, not something you can see or touch.)

"Her wisdom in solving problems is admired by everyone in the team." (Wisdom is the ability to make good decisions based on experience, but it's not a physical object.)

"The lawyer fought hard for justice to ensure everyone was treated fairly." (Justice is an idea about fairness and right behavior, which we can't directly perceive with our senses.)

These nouns help us talk about concepts and emotions that are important in our lives.

9. Collective Nouns:

A collective noun is a special type of noun that names a group of people, animals, or things as a single unit. Instead of talking about each member individually, collective nouns refer to the whole group together.

Groups of Animals :

A pack of wolves

A colony of ants

A troop of monkeys

A gaggle of geese

Groups of People :

An audience of spectators

A squad of police officers

A staff of employees

A choir of singers

Groups of Things/Objects :

A collection of stamps

A series of books

A stack of plates

A bunch of flowers

Compound Nouns:

Compound nouns are created by joining two or more words together to form a single noun that represents a specific item or concept. These combined words work together to describe something more precisely.

For Example,

"toothbrush" combines "tooth" and "brush" to name an object used for cleaning teeth.

"swimming pool" merges "swimming" and "pool" to specify a place designed for swimming.

Compound nouns often provide a clearer or more detailed meaning than using individual words alone.

Nouns Used as Different Components of a Sentence

Nouns Used as a Subject : When a noun is the subject, it usually appears at the beginning of a sentence and answers the question "who" or "what" is performing the action.

"The cat slept on the couch." (Who slept? - The cat)

"The manager approved the budget." (Who approved? - The manager)

"The bird sang beautifully." (What sang? - The bird)

Nouns Used as an Object : When nouns are objects, they appear later in the sentence and answer the question "what" or "whom" the action is directed toward.

"She bought a book." (What did she buy? - A book)

"They saw the movie." (What did they see? - The movie)

"He gave her a gift." (What did he give? - A gift)

Nouns Used as a Direct Object : A direct object noun receives the action directly and answers "what" or "whom" about the verb.

"I need a pen." (What do you need? - A pen)

"She finished her homework." (What did she finish? - Her homework)

Nouns Used as an Indirect Object : An indirect object noun indicates to whom or for whom the action is done and answers "for whom" or "to whom."

"He sent his friend a postcard." (To whom did he send a postcard? - His friend)

"Sarah gave her brother a toy." (For whom did Sarah give a toy? - Her brother)

Nouns Used as a Complement

Nouns can also act as complements, modifying or describing other nouns.

Nouns Used as a Subject Complement : These nouns follow a linking verb and describe or rename the subject.

"She is a doctor." (What is she? - A doctor)

"The winner is James." (Who is the winner? - James)

Nouns Used as an Object Complement : These nouns follow and describe or rename the direct object.

"They elected him president." (What is the direct object? - Him; What is he? - President)

"We named the cat Whiskers." (What is the direct object? - The cat; What did we name it? - Whiskers)

Multifunctional Nouns

Nouns Used as Verbs : Some nouns can be used as verbs with a change in form or meaning.

"The actor performed a play." (Noun)

"He acted in the movie." (Verb)

Nouns Used as Adjectives : Nouns can sometimes function as adjectives, often with a slight spelling change or suffix added.

"The building is old." (Noun)

"The old building was historic." (Adjective)

These examples show how versatile nouns can be in different roles within sentences.

For More understanding, you can watch this video.

Review Your Learning On Nouns and its Type

1. identify and categorise.

Read the following passage and identify all the nouns. Then, categorise each noun into its type (e.g., common, proper, abstract, concrete, etc.).

"Alice and her friends visited the museum in Paris last summer. They saw many interesting exhibits, including ancient artifacts and beautiful paintings. Alice's favorite part was the sculpture of a famous artist."

2. Create Sentences

Write three sentences using different Part of Noun. Ensure each sentence includes at least one common noun, one proper noun, one abstract noun, one concrete noun, and one collective noun.

3. Match Nouns to Their Functions

Match each noun from the list with its correct function in the given sentences. The functions are subject, object, or complement.

Find Out if You Got Them All Right From the Answers Below.

Alice - Proper Noun (names a specific person)

friends - Common Noun (general name for a group of people)

museum - Common Noun (general place)

Paris - Proper Noun (specific place)

summer - Common Noun (general time period)

exhibits - Common Noun (general objects or things)

artifacts - Common Noun (general objects)

paintings - Common Noun (general objects)

part - Common Noun (general thing)

sculpture - Common Noun (general object)

artist - Common Noun (general person)

"The group of students admired the beautiful painting by Pablo Picasso at the museum, feeling a sense of wonder."

Common Noun : students

Proper Noun : Pablo Picasso

Abstract Noun : wonder

Concrete Noun : painting

Collective Noun : group

"In the park, the family enjoyed a picnic on a sunny day, sharing stories and laughter with their friends."

Common Noun : park, day, picnic, stories, laughter, friends

Proper Noun : (none in this sentence)

Abstract Noun : laughter

Concrete Noun : picnic

Collective Noun : family

"The team of engineers developed a new technology in Silicon Valley, which brought hope for future advancements."

Common Noun : team, technology, advancements

Proper Noun : Silicon Valley

Abstract Noun : hope

Concrete Noun : technology

Collective Noun : team

The cat - Subject (The cat is the one doing the action of sleeping.)

The library - Object (We visited the library; the library is what was visited.)

The chef - Subject (The chef is the one performing the action of preparing.)

The cake - Subject; delicious - Complement (The cake is being described as delicious.)

Wonderful - Complement (Wonderful describes the performance.)

Takeaways from This Topic Page

Nouns Name Things: Nouns are words that name people, places, things, or ideas. They help us talk about everything around us.

Different Types: There are different kinds of nouns like common, proper, and abstract. Each type has its own use in sentences.

How They Work: Nouns can be subjects (who or what the sentence is about), objects (what the action is done to), or complements (words that describe or rename subjects or objects).

Versatility: Some nouns can also act as verbs or adjectives, showing how flexible they are in language.

Categorising Helps: Knowing the types and roles of nouns makes it easier to use them correctly in sentences.

FAQs on Nouns: Definitions, Types, and Examples

1. What is a noun?

A noun is a word that names a person, place, thing, or idea. Examples include "dog," "city," "book," and "happiness."

2. What are the different parts of noun?

The main kinds of noun are common nouns (general names), proper nouns (specific names), abstract nouns (ideas or feelings), concrete nouns (physical objects), countable nouns (can be counted), uncountable nouns (cannot be counted), collective nouns (groups), and compound nouns (two or more words combined).

3. How do I identify a proper noun?

Proper nouns name specific people, places, or organizations and are always capitalised. For example, "Albert Einstein," "Paris," and "Google" are proper nouns.

4. What is the difference between a common noun and a proper noun?

Common nouns refer to general items or people, like "car" or "teacher," while proper nouns refer to specific names or titles, like "Toyota" or "Mr. Smith."

5. What are abstract nouns?

Abstract nouns name things that cannot be seen or touched, such as ideas, emotions, or qualities. Examples include "love," "freedom," and "truth."

6. Can nouns be used as adjectives?

Yes, some nouns can function as adjectives when they describe other nouns. For example, "school" in "school bus" acts as an adjective describing the type of bus.

7. What are collective nouns?

Collective nouns refer to groups of people, animals, or things considered as one unit. Examples include "team," "flock," and "family."

8. How do I use countable and uncountable nouns?

Countable nouns can be counted and have both singular and plural forms, like "apple/apples." Uncountable nouns cannot be counted and typically do not have a plural form, like "water" or "advice."

9. Give some compound noun examples?

A compound noun is formed by combining two or more words to create a single noun with a new meaning, such as "toothbrush" (tooth + brush) or "football" (foot + ball).

10. How can I tell if a noun is functioning as a subject or object in a sentence?

The subject is typically the noun performing the action or being described, while the object is the noun receiving the action. For example, in "The cat (subject) chased the mouse (object)," "cat" is the subject and "mouse" is the object.