English proper and common nouns
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Hide- 1.What are common nouns?
- 1.1.Common nouns definition
- 1.2.Common nouns examples
- 2.What are proper nouns?
- 2.1.Proper nouns definition
- 2.2.Identifying days of the week, months, and holidays
- 2.3.Names of people and brands
- 2.4.Geographical locations, officially recognized places, and buildings
- 2.5.Nationalities, languages and religious terms
- 2.6.Historical events, titles, magazines, works of art
- 3.Exercises
- 3.1.English proper and common nouns theory test
- 3.2.Test on proper and common nouns in English
- 3.3.Common and proper nouns worksheet in English
- 3.4.Proper and common nouns exercises in English
What are common nouns?
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Elena M. 
Angel Q. 
Thelmar T. 
Gladys M.
Craig C. 
Mercy M. 
Gabriel R. 
Claire F. 
Edwin D. 
Dar D. 
Elena M.
Angel Q.
Thelmar T.
Gladys M.
Craig C.
Mercy M.
Gabriel R.
Claire F.
Common nouns definition
Common nouns are non-capitalized generic nouns that refer to people, animals, ideas, and objects. The only time they are written with a capital letter is if they are at the beginning of the sentence.
Common nouns examples
- mountain
- coffee
- book
- meal
What are proper nouns?
Proper nouns definition
Proper nouns are used to refer to something very specific, unlike common nouns. They can refer to people, animals, places, things, and ideas. Whether in the beginning, middle or end of the sentences they always begin with a capital letter. There are several categories of proper nouns that we will explore further in this lesson.
Identifying days of the week, months, and holidays
- Monday is my least favorite day of the week.
- I was born in November.
- Christmas is just around the corner, I can't wait!
- I wish we had Thanksgiving in Europe.
Names of people and brands
- I thought Emma was the love of my life but I was wrong.
- The name of your new assistant is Salina.
- I love flying with Japan Airlines.
- I recently earned a Gold status with Star Alliance.
Geographical locations, officially recognized places, and buildings
- I am from Plovdiv. It is a medium-sized city in Bulgaria.
- My best friend is studying in New York.
- I went on a cruise on the Rhine river last year.
- We would really like to explore Asia.
- Have you ever been to the Grand Canyon National Park?
- Burj Khalifa in Dubai is the tallest building in the world.
- Eiffel Tower is one of the most famous landmarks.
Nationalities, languages and religious terms
- They are Australians.
- Originally, I am Belgian.
- She speaks French, Russian, English, and Dutch.
- I studied French in high school.
- Are you a Christian?
- I respect you, regardless of what God you believe or don't believe in.
Historical events, titles, magazines, works of art
- The Nanking Massacre is one of the most horrible things I have ever studied about.
- The Wall Street Crash of 1929 marked the beginning of the Great Depression.
- Jack Dawson believed he was the King of the world.
- Queen Elizabeth II is the longest reigning queen of the United Kingdom.
- My favorite newspaper is The Guardian.
- The Starry Night was painted by Vincent van Gogh.
Exercises
- English proper and common nouns theory test
- Test on proper and common nouns in English
- Common and proper nouns worksheet in English
- Proper and common nouns exercises in English
English proper and common nouns theory test
Solution
1. Proper nouns always begin with a capital letter.
True
2. Common nouns refer to a specific person.
False
3. Common nouns begin with a capital letter only if they are placed at the beginning of a sentence.
True
4. Nationalities are a type of proper noun.
True
5. Proper nouns are generic nouns that refer to people, animals, ideas, and objects.
False
6. Book is a common noun.
True
7. Oreo is a common noun.
False
8. New York is a proper noun.
True
9. China is a proper noun.
True
10. Days of the week are always written with a lower case letter.
False
Test on proper and common nouns in English
Common and proper nouns worksheet in English
→ Common nouns are non-capitalized generic nouns. Ex. mountain, book, meal.
→ Proper nouns are used to refer to something very specific such as people, animals, places, things, and ideas. Ex. Asia, John, New York.
There is a noun in each sentence that isn't correctly written. Find it and write the correct version in the answer section next to it.
→ Ex. I loved dancing with anna. Answer: Anna.
1. I am flying to london tonight. Answer:
2. Her name is elena. Answer:
3. My favorite cookie brand is oreo. Answer:
4. I can't wait to return to tokyo. Answer:
5. Do you speak any french? Answer:
6. Can we meet on tuesday? Answer:
7. Have you seen the eiffel tower? Answer:
8. She thinks he is french. Answer:
9. I would like to help you john. Answer:
10. I've never flown with united. Answer:
Proper and common nouns exercises in English
Exercises
- English proper and common nouns theory test
- Test on proper and common nouns in English
- Common and proper nouns worksheet in English
- Proper and common nouns exercises in English
English proper and common nouns theory test
Solution
1. Proper nouns always begin with a capital letter.
True
2. Common nouns refer to a specific person.
False
3. Common nouns begin with a capital letter only if they are placed at the beginning of a sentence.
True
4. Nationalities are a type of proper noun.
True
5. Proper nouns are generic nouns that refer to people, animals, ideas, and objects.
False
6. Book is a common noun.
True
7. Oreo is a common noun.
False
8. New York is a proper noun.
True
9. China is a proper noun.
True
10. Days of the week are always written with a lower case letter.
False
Test on proper and common nouns in English
Common and proper nouns worksheet in English
→ Common nouns are non-capitalized generic nouns. Ex. mountain, book, meal.
→ Proper nouns are used to refer to something very specific such as people, animals, places, things, and ideas. Ex. Asia, John, New York.
There is a noun in each sentence that isn't correctly written. Find it and write the correct version in the answer section next to it.
→ Ex. I loved dancing with anna. Answer: Anna.
1. I am flying to london tonight. Answer:
2. Her name is elena. Answer:
3. My favorite cookie brand is oreo. Answer:
4. I can't wait to return to tokyo. Answer:
5. Do you speak any french? Answer:
6. Can we meet on tuesday? Answer:
7. Have you seen the eiffel tower? Answer:
8. She thinks he is french. Answer:
9. I would like to help you john. Answer:
10. I've never flown with united. Answer: