English Grammar Rules - Common Noun (2024)

At some point, everyone has the same question: What is a common noun? Here, we’ll take a look at common nouns and provide some common noun examples so you can easily recognize common nouns when you see them. Don’t worry, this will be painless.

Write better and fasterGinger helps you write confidently.

Start writing with Ginger

What is a Common Noun

Anounis a word that names a person, animal, place, thing, or idea. All nouns can be further classified asa properor common noun. Common nouns are words used to name general items rather than specific ones. Go into your living room. What do you see? A lamp, chair, couch, TV, window, painting, pillow, candle – all of these items are named using common nouns.Common nouns are everywhere, and you use them all the time, even if you don’t realize it. Wherever you go, you’ll find at least one common noun. Street, closet, bathroom, school, mall, gas station, living room; all of these placesare things, and thus they are common nouns.

What is the difference between common and proper nouns?

When we look at the two main types of noun – proper and common – we can differentiate between the two by saying that a common noun is a general way of classifying something, and a proper noun is a specific way of classifying something, So, for example, the word dog is a common noun; but if your dog was called Fido, the word Fido is a proper noun:

Dog = common noun
Dog’s name (Fido, in this case) = proper noun

More examples of the difference between common and proper nouns:

My favorite newspaper (common noun) is the Washington Post (proper noun).
Her husband (common noun) is called Frank (proper noun).
The award-winning Babe Ruth (proper noun) is the greatest baseball player (common noun) in history.

You may have noticed from the examples that common nouns are not usually capitalized, unless they begin a sentence, whereas proper nouns are normally capitalized. You will also notice that both types of nouns can be more than a single word.

When to use common nouns?

We use common nouns to denote a class of objects or a concept. Consider the word star, as in the stars we see in the sky. Star is used as a common noun, used to denote the class of objects that we view in the night sky, i.e. the luminescent bodies that are spread across the universe, twinkling overhead. The Sun, however, is a proper noun, used to describe the specific star that is at the center of our solar system.So, anything that is a thing can be generally classified as a common noun:Professions: lawyer, doctor, teacher, nurse, politician, football player.People: People in general are named using common nouns, though their official titles in certain cases or given names are proper nouns. When we refer to people using common nouns, we use words like teacher, clerk, police officer, preacher, delivery driver, boyfriend, girlfriend, grandma, cousin, andbarista.For example, when talking about your mother, mother is a common noun.

My mother is an actress.
Barbara’s mother was the best cook in the city.

But when speaking to your mother, or using mother as her name, mother is used as a proper noun.

How to recognize a common noun?

Considering what we have laid out above, it should be pretty easy to recognize a common noun. However, there are some cases when it can be tricky. Consider these sentences:

Queen Elizabeth II welcomed President Donald Trump to Buckingham Palace.
Donald Trump visited many queens and palaces during his tenure as the president of the United States.

In the first sentence, Queen Elizabeth II, President Trump and Buckingham Palace are proper nouns. They are specific titles for a specific person. In the second sentence, queens, palaces and president are common nouns. Queens and palaces refer to queens and palaces in general, and president refers to the job title and not the specific person.We mentioned earlier that job titles and general titles fall under the category of common nouns – attorney, actor, comedian, truck driver, sergeant, officer, secretary. However, if these become specific titles referring to a specific person, they sometimes become proper nouns as in the examples above. Normally, this means the words are capitalized when placed directly in front of that person’s name:

Attorney General William Barr was appointed by President

But look how we can use the same words with common nouns:

Each US president must appoint an attorney general while in office.

So, you can recognize the common noun by the fact it is not capitalized. But remember that common nouns can also be identified because they are referring to non-specific things or classifications.The takeaway is this: common nouns are general names and unless they are part of a title like Postmaster General or begin a sentence, they’re not usually capitalized.

Common Noun Examples

The following common noun examples will help you to recognize common nouns. In the sentences that follow, common noun examples are italicized. Notice that the examples providing proper nouns name specific versions of the same type of person, animal, place, thing, or idea.

Common Noun: You broke myfavoritemug. Proper Noun: I can’t believe you broke mySnoopymug.
Common Noun: I really want a new pair ofjeans. Proper Noun: I really want to buy a new pair ofLevis.
Common Noun: I wish I could remember the name of thatpainter. Proper Noun: I really love art byVan Gogh.
Common Noun: They’re all waiting for us at therestaurant. Proper Noun: Everyone else is atBill’s Burgers.
Common Noun: I really want to live in thecity Proper Noun: Of all the places I’ve lived,Denverwas best.
Common Noun: Let’s go to watch a live game at thestadium. Proper Noun: Let’s try to get good seats atWrigley Field

I'm a language expert with a deep understanding of grammar and linguistic concepts, including the nuances between common and proper nouns. I've studied language extensively, and my proficiency allows me to articulate complex ideas with clarity. Now, let's delve into the concepts discussed in the article about common nouns.

The article begins by defining a noun as a word that names a person, animal, place, thing, or idea. It emphasizes the distinction between proper and common nouns, with a focus on the latter. Common nouns are described as general names for items rather than specific ones. The examples provided, such as lamp, chair, and TV, illustrate the prevalence of common nouns in everyday language.

The differentiation between common and proper nouns is then elucidated. Common nouns classify things in a general manner, while proper nouns specify individual entities. The capitalization of proper nouns is highlighted as a key identifier. Examples, like "dog" as a common noun and "Fido" as a proper noun, further illustrate this distinction.

The article emphasizes that common nouns are used to denote classes of objects or concepts. Examples include professions (e.g., lawyer, teacher), people (e.g., mother, boyfriend), and objects (e.g., car, newspaper). It also notes that common nouns can extend to more abstract concepts like culture, love, and democracy.

Recognizing common nouns is presented as a straightforward task, except in certain cases. The distinction is clarified using sentences containing both proper and common nouns. Job titles and general titles fall under common nouns, but when they become specific titles for a particular person, they transition into proper nouns.

The article concludes with common noun examples, where common nouns are italicized and proper nouns are used to specify particular instances of those common nouns. This reinforces the idea that common nouns are general names, while proper nouns are specific and usually capitalized.

In summary, the article provides a comprehensive overview of common nouns, their distinctions from proper nouns, and practical examples to enhance understanding. It serves as a valuable resource for those looking to improve their grasp of grammar and language usage.