Grammarkup
Nouns

Common Nouns

A noun is a word used to identify people, places, or things

A noun is a word used to identify people, places, or things (common noun), or to name a particular one of these (proper noun).

Example

You can buy coffee at Starbucks

Note

Coffee is a common noun. It is a word used to identify a thing. Starbucks on the other hand is a proper noun, because it is used to identify particular place.

A common noun is a noun showing a class of objects or a concept as opposed to a particular individual.

Example

There was a sofa, two chairs, and a wardrobe in the room

Note that common nouns are general names. They are not capitalized unless they begin a sentence or are part of a title.

Example

Capitals of the countries are usually very large cities

London is the capital of Great Britain

Most of the time, we add -s to singular nouns to indicate plurality.

  • flower → flowers
  • dogs → dogs

If the singular noun ends in -s, -ss, -ch, -x, -z, -o, add -es to make it plural.

  • bus → buses
  • watch → watches
  • box → boxes
  • potato → potatoes

If the singular noun ends in -y, change -y into -i and add -es to make it plural.

  • baby → babies

If the singular noun ends in -f or -fe, -f is often changed to -ve before adding -s to make it plural.

  • life → lives
  • wolf → wolves (but: belief → beliefs , chef → chefs )

Some nouns do not follow any of the rules explained earlier. They are irregular. Here are the most common irregular nouns.

SingularPlural
manmen
womanwomen
personpeople
childchildren
toothteeth
footfeet
mousemice

Guided Practice

A common noun is a noun showing a class of objects or a concept as opposed to a particular individual.

  • Fruit and vegetables are good for you.

A common nouns are not capitalized unless they begin a sentence or are part of a title.

  • Books can help you learn something new.

Most of the time, we add -s to singular nouns to show more than one (plural).

  • map → ....................
  • cake → ....................

If the singular noun ends in -s, -ss, -ch, -x, -z, -o, add -es to make it plural.

  • sandwich → ....................
  • cross → ....................
  • fox → ....................
  • tomato → ....................

If the singular noun ends in -y, change -y into -i and add -es to make it plural.

  • lily → ....................

If the singular noun ends in -f or -fe, -f is often changed to -ve before adding -s to make it plural.

  • wife → ....................
  • calf → ....................

Some nouns do not follow any of the rules explained earlier. They are irregular.

  • A mouse is small rodent. .................... can find their way into your house.

Short Story using Common Nouns

-I'm going grocery shopping in a bit. Could I get you anything?

-I think we're running out of milk. You should buy that. And I don't mind some cookies or candies.

-OK, I'll put it on my list. Anything else?

-You can look in the fridge and just buy whatever you feel like we need. Oh, and don't forget to grab the newspaper on your way back home. I'd really appreciate that!

-Roger! (=OK!/Understood!)

Independent Practice

Transform the following singular nouns into plurals.

  1. light - ....................
  2. man - ....................
  3. life - ....................
  4. lady - ....................
  5. tax - ....................

Find mistakes in the following sentences.

  1. Don't forget to take your Jacket! It's really cold outside today.
  2. Your foot are really cold! You are freezing!
  3. Elizabeth is a Doctor in a local hospital.
  4. I like high waisted jeanses a lot. I feel really stylish wearing them.
  5. There are many thiefes in this area. Be careful!