Abstract Nouns

The invisible world of ideas, qualities, and states

An abstract noun names something that cannot be perceived through the five senses - it represents ideas, qualities, emotions, or states of being that exist in our minds rather than the physical world.

What Makes Abstract Nouns Different?

Abstract nouns are different from concrete nouns because they refer to intangible concepts rather than physical objects. For example, "love" is an abstract noun (you can't see or touch it), while "rose" is concrete.

Quick Examples by Category:
  • Emotions: happiness, anger, grief, excitement
  • Qualities: bravery, honesty, intelligence, patience
  • Ideas: democracy, justice, freedom, truth
  • States: childhood, poverty, sleep, silence
  • Concepts: time, energy, gravity, information
Remember:

Abstract nouns are typically uncountable and don't have plural forms (you can't have "three happinesses"). Many are formed from adjectives or verbs by adding suffixes like -ness, -ity, -tion, or -ment.

Major Categories of Abstract Nouns

1. Emotions and Feelings

Internal psychological states we experience.

Examples:
  • Her joy was contagious.
  • He felt overwhelming gratitude.
  • Their love grew stronger each year.
  • She couldn't hide her disappointment.

2. Human Qualities and Characteristics

Attributes that describe people's nature or behavior.

Examples:
  • His bravery saved the child's life.
  • Patience is a virtue.
  • The team showed remarkable cooperation.
  • Her intelligence impressed everyone.

3. Social and Philosophical Concepts

Ideas that shape societies and belief systems.

Examples:
  • They fought for freedom.
  • The principle of justice must prevail.
  • Democracy requires participation.
  • Ancient philosophers pondered the nature of reality.

4. States and Conditions

Abstract circumstances or situations.

Examples:
  • The country was in a state of chaos.
  • After the storm came calm.
  • They lived in poverty.
  • The silence was deafening.

5. Processes and Phenomena

Actions or occurrences viewed abstractly.

Examples:
  • Growth requires change.
  • The passage of time affects us all.
  • Scientific discovery drives progress.
  • Cultural evolution happens gradually.
Important:

Many abstract nouns are formed from other parts of speech:
- Adjectives: happy → happiness; brave → bravery
- Verbs: enjoy → enjoyment; inform → information
- Other nouns: friend → friendship; child → childhood

Identifying Abstract Nouns

The "Can You Perceive It?" Test

Ask these questions to identify abstract nouns:

  1. Can you see it? (No → likely abstract)
  2. Can you touch it? (No → likely abstract)
  3. Can you measure it physically? (No → likely abstract)
  4. Does it represent an idea or quality? (Yes → abstract)
Practice Examples:
Noun Concrete or Abstract? Why?
beauty Abstract Quality we perceive but can't touch
computer Concrete Physical object you can use
friendship Abstract Relationship concept, not physical
thunder Concrete Sound you can hear

Abstract Nouns in Language

1. Making the Abstract Concrete

Writers often use concrete nouns to represent abstract ideas (called "concretization"):

  • "The scales of justice" (representing fairness)
  • "A lightbulb moment" (representing an idea)
  • "Time is a thief" (metaphor for time's passage)

2. Abstract Nouns in Literature

Abstract nouns are powerful in poetry and prose:

"Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul"
- Emily Dickinson (using concrete imagery for abstract hope)

3. Abstract Nouns in Speeches

Great speeches often rely on abstract concepts:

"I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: 'We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.'"
- Martin Luther King Jr. (using abstract nouns: dream, meaning, truth, equality)

Fun Activities with Abstract Nouns

1. Abstract Noun Charades

Act out abstract concepts without speaking while others guess. Try:

  • Happiness
  • Bravery
  • Confusion
  • Freedom

2. "Make It Concrete" Challenge

Choose abstract nouns and represent them with concrete objects or images:

  • Love → heart shape, roses
  • Time → clock, hourglass
  • Justice → scales, gavel

3. Abstract Noun Poetry

Write short poems personifying abstract nouns:

Loneliness sits in empty rooms
Wearing slippers of quiet gloom
Tracing circles on windowpanes
Counting down the passing trains

4. "From Concrete to Abstract"

Take concrete nouns and derive their related abstract forms:

  • Friend → friendship
  • Child → childhood
  • Leader → leadership
  • Partner → partnership