Common, Proper, Abstract & Concrete Nouns

English Language: AQA A Level, topic 1.2.2

Lexis - Common and Proper Nouns

You may remember from your study of English at GCSE that nouns are people, places or things. But there are many different types of nouns, which are called sub-classes. Nouns are either specific or more general.

Common nouns

Common nouns are general, like dogs, writers and feelings.
These do not need capital letters unless they are starting a sentence.

Common nouns - examples

I really like that writer!
Writer here acts as a common noun.
My horse is so sweet.
Horse here acts as a common noun.
The teacher gave me a gold star.
Both the teacher and star here act as common nouns.

Proper nouns

Proper nouns are specific objects, people or things.
For example, Daniel, Shakespeare and English.
These always need a capital letter.

Proper nouns - examples

I really like Shakespeare!
Shakespeare here acts a proper noun.
London is my home.
London here acts as a proper noun.
I am very annoyed at James.
James here acts as a proper noun.

Lexis - Abstract and Concrete Nouns

Concrete nouns

Concrete nouns can be touched, like a plug, a phone and a tree.

Concrete nouns - examples

I put my pen on the table.
Both pen and table are concrete nouns.
The saddle is too big for the horse.
Both saddle and horse are concrete nouns.
He plays the guitar really badly.
Guitar is a concrete noun.

Abstract nouns

Nouns like love and pain are about feelings and states of being. We call these abstract nouns.

Abstract noun - examples

I felt the anger burn me up.
Anger here is the abstract noun.
I felt sadness when he left.
Sadness here is the abstract noun.
Teaching is my passion.
Passion here is the abstract noun.

Test yourself on Common, Proper, Abstract & Concrete Nouns

Which of these are proper nouns?
Which of these is a common noun?
Which of these is a common noun?
Which of these is a proper noun?
Which of these is a proper noun?

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