Nouns & Kinds of Nouns with Examples | ICSE

Nouns

Definition: A noun is a word that represents a person, place, thing, or an idea. It is a part of speech that functions as the subject of a sentence, the object of a verb, or the object of a preposition.

Types of Nouns:

1. Common Nouns:

Definition: Common nouns are the words that refer to in general, about ordinary things or people and do not start with a capital letter unless they begin a sentence. Examples: person, place, thing

2. Proper Nouns:

Definition: Proper nouns are the words that refer to specific, individual people, places, things, or ideas and always start with a capital letter. Examples: Mary, New York City, The Eiffel Tower

3. Concrete Nouns:

Definition: Concrete nouns are the words that refer to tangible, physical objects that can be perceived by the senses. Examples: table, car, book

4. Abstract Nouns:

Definition: Abstract nouns refer to concepts, qualities, or ideas that are not physical and cannot be perceived by the senses. Examples: love, courage, happiness

5. Collective Nouns:

Definition: Collective nouns are the words that refer to groups of people, animals, or things. Examples: team, herd, army

6. Countable and Uncountable Nouns:

(A) Countable Nouns: These are the nouns that refer to individual units that can be counted. Examples: apples, cars, books

(B) Uncountable Nouns: These are the nouns that refer to substances or concepts that cannot be easily counted. Examples: water, knowledge, sugar

Functions of Nouns:

(i) Subject of a Sentence:

The nouns often serve as the subject of a sentence, indicating as to who or what performs the action. Example: The puppy is sleeping.

(ii) Object of a Verb:

The nouns can also function as the object of a verb, receiving the action. Example: She loves chocolate.

(iii) Object of a Preposition:

The nouns can also be the object of the preposition, indicating the relationships in space or time. Example: The book is on the table.

Importance of Nouns: The nouns are essential for effective communication, as they help us identify, the name, and categorize the elements around us. They provide specificity and clarity in language, allowing us to express ideas, share information, and build meaningful sentences and stories.