English Basics
Volume 3, Number 1, September 8, 1998
www.rhlschool.com
Common and Proper Nouns
Nouns are words that stand for a person, place, thing, or idea. They can be singular (one) or plural (more than one).
Common nouns do not need to begin with a capital letter.
A proper noun is a name given to a specific person, place, or thing. Proper nouns begin with capital letters.
Each sentence below contains two or more nouns. They are either all common nouns or all proper nouns. Underline the nouns and then indicate whether they are common or proper. The answers for the first two sentences are done for you.
1. Does Jimmy really want to move to California? proper
2. An impolite fish asked my brother for a worm. common
3. Amy will travel to Norway and Sweden.
4. Which is larger, Microsoft or Intel?
5. Cats are very valuable helpers on a farm.
6. My grandfather wasn’t allowed in that diner because of his strange habits.
7. Cassy, Samantha, and David are playing outside.
8. Happiness is a feeling that is hard to describe.
9.Her smile became a frown as she noticed the tiny insects crawling out of her sandwich.
10. The Giants will not play the Cubs in Orlando.
Proper Noun usage didn’t end after ‘6th’ grade or High School, it also applies to Social networking & texting, you may not feel this way, BUT I do. My name is Vernon J, it is a proper noun
P.S. My name is Vernon J, Mr Vernon J; Mr. Vernon, Vernon is fine. Those are the only 2 ACCEPTABLE versions of my name, unless I have told you otherwise(Sandy)