Classifying Nouns!

The Categories Once we figure out which words are being used as nouns, we have to figure out what kind of nouns they are. Nouns can be categorized as: common OR proper singular OR plural concrete OR abstract collective possessive

Singular v. Plural Singular means that there is only ONE of something, just like when you pay in “singles,” you pay in $1 bills. Plural means there are MORE THAN ONE. Plural nouns often end in “s,” but not always! Foot Feet

Singular v. Plural Singular foot penguin city shoe book tooth Plural feet penguins cities shoes books teeth

Singular v. Plural If you can’t figure out if something is singular or plural, just put the word “one” in front of it. If it makes sense, it’s SINGULAR !

Singular v. Plural Singular one foot one penguin one city one shoe one book one tooth Plural one feet (EEK!) one penguins (NO WAY!) one cities (WHAT?) one shoes (BARF!) one books (ICK!) one teeth (??????)

Common v. Proper A common noun is a general name for a person, place, thing, or idea. They are usually NOT capitalized. A proper noun is a particular person, place, thing, or idea. It is ALWAYS capitalized. – Hint: A way to remember it is that a common er might be hunched over, like a lower case letter, while a rich, proper individual may walk with more pride standing upright like a capital letter.

Common v. Proper This king is standing tall and upright, like the valiant royal individual he is! Much like this, proper nouns must also stand tall and upright, beginning with a capital letter!

Common v. Proper This individual is a regular common er, and much like common nouns, he is bowing low to the ground like a lower case letter.

Common v. Proper Common (general) city state guitarist museum lake month Proper (specific) Cleveland Ohio George Harrison Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Lake Michigan September

Concrete v. Abstract Concrete nouns are nouns that can be perceived by the senses, which means they can be seen, touched, tasted, smelled, or heard. – Hint : The way I remember this is that concrete (the stuff that makes sidewalks) can be seen and touched. (“…like the concrete under my feet.”) Abstract nouns are the “idea” nouns. They are concepts in the mind, but not something that can be detected with the senses. – For example: We can’t say, “The hatred came into the room and sat down.” We can’t see “hatred” itself. We can only see things that result from hatred, like a mean face.

Concrete v. Abstract Concrete sand fireplace song window light Ms. Uebler Abstract independence curiosity pride uncertainty sadness faith Can be seen, touched, tasted, smelled, or heard “like the concrete under your feet!”

Possessive Possessive nouns show ownership. This is most easily recognized by the use of an apostrophe. Because of this trick, you should be able to look at a sentence and immediately identify if it has any possessive nouns! Just look for the apostrophe!

Possessive dog’s bowl (the bowl is OWNED/POSSESSED by the dog, making “dog’s” the possessive noun) tree’s leaves (the leaves are OWNED/POSSESSED by the tree, making “tree’s” the possessive noun) brother’s idea (the idea is OWNED/POSSESSED by the brother, making “brother’s” the possessive noun)

Collective A collective noun is a singular noun that refers to a group of people or things (represents a plural concept). Remember, a noun is singular if you can put the word “one” in front of it! For example : band, choir, crew, class, herd, gaggle, staff

Let’s Practice Classifying Nouns! Wahoo! Train common or proper? singular or plural? concrete or abstract? collective? possessive? No.

Kitten’s common or proper? singular or plural? concrete or abstract? collective? possessive? No.

Chicago common or proper? singular or plural? concrete or abstract? collective? possessive? No.

Hope common or proper? singular or plural? concrete or abstract? collective? possessive? No.

Choir common or proper? singular or plural? concrete or abstract? collective? possessive? No.

The End! …or is it?