English Grammar | Definition, types, rules and examples of Noun

In this article we provide detail explanation of noun with its definition, types rules and examples. We try to use simple explanation to understand it better. We recommend the readers after this article must attempt online mock test for better understanding.

English Grammar | Definition Of Noun

“A word which is used for the names of persons, things, animals, places and expressions; that word is known as noun"

English Grammar | Types of nouns

In English Grammar nouns are used in sentence with various types. According to the use and function of various nouns they are divided into some parts. Now we learn those types or parts of nouns in the sentence one by one.

A. Types of nouns | Proper noun 

“A noun which is used for the name of particular person, thing, animal and place; that noun is known as proper noun”

In the definition of proper noun, the four concepts are mentioned. Now we try to understand them with examples. As,

First concept – 

for the name of “particular person”. It means the name for particular person. It either male or female.

Example – Phalguni, Surya, Reddy etc.

Second concept – 

for the name of “particular thing”. Sometimes it is difficult, how to use proper noun for thing? It is not too difficult to mention proper for this concept. Things are generally come under the common noun but things are made or manufacture from any company. So for this concept name of particular company comes under this concept.

Examples - Redmi mobile, Dell laptop, Rotomac pen etc. In short the name of company used for proper noun under the concept of “thing”.

Third concept – for the name of “particular animal”. Generally this concept is referred for the domestic animals. When we keep an animal at home, the name we give it is called a proper noun. Ex. Rocky (dog), Bella (cat) etc.

Fourth concept – for the name of “particular place” Generally this concept is referred for the name of colony, city, state, country, a unique structure in the world. 

Examples - Mumbai, Maharashtra, India, New York, England, The Gate Way of India, The Tajmahal etc.

Proper Noun | Rules 

1. Proper noun is always used with the capital letter, no matter it’s position where appear in the sentence.
2. Proper noun is always in singular form. It doesn’t have plural form. 
3. Some times proper noun is used in the plural form; in case that proper noun is mentioned as the family name. This is just the exceptional case.

Example – 

"Ambanis invited so many celebrities for wedding ceremony"

Here “Ambanis” is used for the all family members in Ambani not any particular person.

B. Types nouns | Common noun

"A noun which is used in general for the name of person, thing, animal and place; that noun is known as common noun"

In the definition of common noun, the four concepts are mentioned, now we try to understand them one by one with examples as,

First concept - 

for the name of "general person" it means the name mentioned for generally in "person concept"

Examples - Girl, Boy, Doctor, Engineer, Police etc.

Second concept - 

for the name of "general thing" it means the name mentioned for generally in "thing concept"

Examples - Pen, Book, Mobile, Laptop etc.

Third concept - for the name of "general animal" it means the name mentioned for generally in "animal concept"

Examples - Dog, Rat, Ox, Tiger etc.

Fourth concept - 

for the name of "general place" it means the name mentioned for generally in "place concept"

Examples - State, Country, College etc.

Common Noun | Rules

1. Common noun is not capitalised unless it appears at the beginning in a sentence. Example - Dog is a domestic animal.
2. Common noun is used in singular as well      as in plural form. Example - Book - Books, Man - Men etc
3. Common noun is not only used as the subject but also as the object in the sentence. Example - Ox is an useful animal.

C. Types Nouns | Collective Noun

"A noun which is used for names of group of persons, animals and things; that noun is known as collective noun"

In the definition of collective noun, the three concepts are mentioned, now we try to understand them properly:

First concept - 

for the name of "group of persons" Example - Army, Class, Jury, Family etc.

Second concept - 

for the name of "group of animals" Example - Flock, Hive, Pride, Pack etc.

Third concept -

for the name of "group of things" Example - Gallery, Bunch, Bouquet, Bundle etc.

Collective Noun | Rules

1. Collective noun is not capitalised unless it appears at the beginning in a sentence.
2. Collective noun is used in singular form as well as in plural form.
3. Collective noun is not only used as a subject but also as a object in a sentence.

D. Types of Nouns | Abstract Noun

"A noun which is used to refer for the name of action, state and quality; that noun is known as an abstract noun"

In the definition of abstract noun, the three concepts are mentioned. Now we see the examples of each as,

First concept - Action;  

Rule #1. Abstract noun forms from verb. Example - movement (from move), appointment (from appoint), information (from inform) etc.

Second concept - State;

Rule #2. Abstract noun forms from common noun.  Example - Childhood (from child),  Kingdom (from King), Ownership (from owner) etc.

Third concept - Quality;

Rule #3. Abstract noun forms from adjective. Example - Honesty (from Honesty), Bravery (from Brave), Silence (from silent) etc.

Rule #4. Abstract noun doesn't have plural form. It has only singular form.

Rule #5. Abstract noun is not capitalised unless it appears at the beginning in a sentence.

E. Types of Nouns | Material Noun

"A noun which is used for the names of things which are made from substance or metal; that noun is known as material noun"

Example -

Substance - Oil, Rice, Petrol, Water etc.

Metal - Gold, Silver, Aluminum, Steel etc.

Material Noun | Rules 

1. Material Noun is always used in singular form.
2. "Unit" is used to count the material noun. (Kilogram, liter etc.)
3. Material Noun is not capitalized unless it appears at the beginning in a sentence.

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