Nouns are words that name people, places, things, or ideas. Every sentence has at least one noun, and nouns are one of the most important parts of speech.
Always ask yourself: does the word name a person, place, thing, or idea? If yes, it is a noun.
Common nouns are general names for people, places, things, or ideas. They are not capitalized unless they begin a sentence.
Think of common nouns as “everyday” names—like teacher instead of Mrs. Smith.
Proper nouns are specific names of people, places, things, or events. They are always capitalized no matter where they appear in a sentence.
Proper nouns are “special” names that stand out. Always capitalize them, even in the middle of a sentence.
Common nouns and proper nouns are closely related. A common noun becomes proper when you use a specific name.
Use capitalization to show the difference between a general name and a specific one.
Recognizing nouns in sentences helps you understand how they function in writing and speaking. Both common and proper nouns can be subjects or objects in sentences.
When writing, always double-check: did you capitalize proper nouns correctly?