Let’s learn common nouns!
Common nouns are described along with definitions, a lot of examples, list, various images, a simple animated video to understand the basics.
Let us explore common nouns!
Let’s learn about common nouns. A common noun is the basic pillar of a noun in English grammar. We have got a basic idea about nouns. We understand that noun means the name of a person, place, things, ideas, etc. It is further categorized into five subcategories.
Common nouns are one of them.
From the words,
Now, let’s observe the above examples. Sindbad’s story means a specific name, so it is not a common noun, but if we talk about a story, that is not specific.
We don’t know which story is all about? It doesn’t specify the name of the story.
So, it is a common name.
Hence, it is a Common Noun.
A common noun is simply the generic name of any class or group of people or animals or birds or places or things or ideas.
These are not capitalized but if it is placed at the beginning of a sentence, then it will be capitalized.
Check out our ANIMATED video!
When generic, we use a common noun. But if the same generic name specifies a specific name, then it will be changed into a proper noun.
Let us try to understand common nouns with explanations.
Common Nouns |
Specific Names |
Explanation |
Man, boy | Rohan, Somi |
If we say, Rohan or Somi, we can understand the person, but if we say, man or boy, we cannot understand the person. Hence, man or boy means common nouns. |
Woman, girl | Rita, Apu |
If we say, Rita or Apu, we can understand them but, but if we say woman or girl, we will not be able to understand them. Hence, women or girls means common nouns. |
Student | Neha, Anu |
If we say, student, it implies a generic name or common name. We cannot specify any student with taking their name. Hence, student means a common noun. |
Doctor | Dr. A Dutta |
If we say doctor, we don’t understand which doctor we are talking about! So, the doctor is a common name and it is a common noun. |
City, town | Delhi, Bardhaman |
If someone says, I am going to a city or a town, you can not understand which city or town is talking about. Hence, city or town, etc. refers to a common noun. |
Country | France |
I have visited a country last year. Do you understand which country I am talking about? No! As the country is a general name and it is a common noun. |
Game | FIFA World Cup |
From the word ‘game’, nobody can understand which game is talking about. The game cannot specify whether it is football or cricket or basketball! Hence, the game refers to a common noun. |
Palace | Buckingham |
Have you visited the palace? – Do you understand which palace I am talking about. No, because the palace is a common name and it is a common noun. |
Month | May, June |
Roni told his friend that he has visited the Taj Mahal in a month. Have you get an idea about the name of the month. No, as the month is a generic name, it may be January, February…Dec. So, any month which is not specified refers to a common noun. |
Days | Friday, Saturday |
Days implies a generic name. If we specify like Friday or Saturday, it will be easily understood which particular day we talking about. Hence, days means common non. |
River | Sindhu, Yamuna |
From the general name river, we can not understand which river we are talking about. So, the river is a common name and it is a common noun. |
Book | The Jungle Book |
We all love reading books. If you say to your friend that you are reading an interesting book, your friend cannot get the clue which book you are reading! Hence, book means a common name and it is a common noun. |
Movie | Titanic |
Rohan said to his friend that he has watched a movie. Do you understand which movie is he talking about? No, as the movie is a general name, it is a common noun. |
There are plenty of common nouns, we are using every day.
However, a simple common noun list is stated below for better understanding:
People | Grandfather, grandmother, father, mother, woman, man, boy, girl, teacher, tutor, professor, student, teenager, child, toddler, policeman, minister, engineer, doctor, etc. |
Animals | Horse, cat, cow, tiger, lion, monkey, parrot, bird, fish, etc. |
Birds | Parrot, pigeon, sparrow, etc. |
Things | book, pen, table, chair, mobile, computer, etc. |
Places | Continent, country, state, city, village, shopping mall, bookstore, park, zoo, etc. |
Ideas | Love, friendship, dictatorship, respect, etc. |
We will try to understand with a few examples and explanations so that we will have a clear concept of common nouns.
Example#1
All members have participated in the game but Avik was the champion.
Example#2
Minu has two computers, one is Dell & the other one is HP.
Example#3
Sonu Sood is my real hero.
Example#4
I live in Delhi, a big city.
Example#5
Titanic is my favorite film.
Example#6
Muna has a nice car and it is Toyota Rav4.
Example#7
The Nile is the longest river.
Example#8
Rehana has a nice camera.
Example#9
Victoria Memorial is a nice palace.
Example#10
Tina has two cats.
So finally, we have learned common nouns, one of the most used types of noun.