Nouns

A noun is the name of a person, place, thing, or idea:

            People farmer, mechanic, father, Professor Haskins, editors, Marcia
            Places ocean, Canada, porch, Spain, classroom
            Things scissors, giraffe, pen, smiles, tugboat, skateboard, braces, drill
            Ideas love, inspiration, courage, anxiety, eagerness, happiness

All nouns are either common or proper nouns:

 A common noun names any person, place, or thing. Examples are basketball, video,
wizard, coin, woman, and coach.

 A proper noun names a particular person, place, or thing and begins with a capital letter.
Examples are Winston Churchill, Babe Ruth, Mr. Richard Turner, and Chicago.

  

Know the difference between a common and a proper noun:

 Common Nouns           Proper Nouns

 hospital                     Mercy General Hospital

 woman                      Martha Washington
 school                       Sayville Middle School
newspaper                 The New York Times

 Here are some specifi c types of nouns:

A collective noun names a group of people or things. Examples of collective nouns are

jury, herd, fl ock, family, fl eet, club, class, and group.

A compound noun is a noun consisting of more than a single word. It could be separate

words such as social studies, physical education, and dining room. It could be two words

joined by a hyphen such as merry-go-round, thirty-three, sister-in-law, and great- grandmother.

It could be a combined word such as schoolteacher, bookkeeper, landlord, and headmaster.

 WRITING TIP   Use a dictionary or a thesaurus for help in choosing the most precise noun for

                               your purpose.

 Plus a Quotation (Nouns)

 Underline each noun in the following sentences. Then write the fi rst letter of each noun on the
line next to the sentence. If your answers are correct, you will spell out the words of a quotation
and the name of the famous American who said the quotation. Write the quotation and its
author’s name on the lines below sentence 15.

 1. ..................Wendy located her housekeeper.
 2....................Some answers on this test are about electricity.
 3................... Her violin and easel were missing.
 4....................Their rabbit that left the yard was returned by the offi cer.
 5.................... He used this umbrella in Alabama.
 6................... After the rain, the electrician checked the box.
 7................... The end of the afternoon arrived quickly.
 8. ..................This group is funny.
 9................... The ostrich and the orangutan are interesting.
 10................. My doctor and my orthodontist are neighbors.
 11. ................In the evening, Archie likes to go boating.
 12................. Unfortunately, he had a rash and an allergy.
 13................. Her height and agility helped her win the match.
 14................ Linda cared for the infant throughout the night.
 15................ The garbage carton near the oven had licorice and noodles in it.

The quotation and its author :

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