1. What is a noun?
A noun is a word that names something, such as a person, place, thing, or idea.
Example: factory, approval, construction, London, etc.
2. Functions of a noun
|
Functions of a noun |
Examples |
|
As a subject |
The seminar will be held next week. |
|
As an object of a verb |
I enjoyed his presentation. |
|
As an object of a preposition |
There was a complaint from the customer. |
|
As a complement |
Mr.John will become the next mayor. |
3. Positions of a noun
|
Positions of a noun |
Examples |
|
After an indefinite article (a, an) or a definite article (the) |
I am looking for a chair |
|
After an adjective |
It is a good solution |
|
After a possessive adjective (my, her, his, etc) |
David is one of my colleagues. |
|
After a preposition |
They offer a variety of services. |
4. Countable nouns & uncountable nouns
- Countable nouns are nouns which can be counted, even if the number might be extraordinarily high (like counting all the people in the world). Countable nouns can be used with a/an, the, some, any, a few, and many.
Example: office, product, etc
- Uncountable nouns are nouns that come in a state or quantity which is impossible to count; liquids are uncountable, as are things that act like liquids (sand, air). They are always considered to be singular, and can be used with some, any, a little, and much.
Example: intelligence, information, etc.
5. Proper nouns & Common nouns
- Proper noun is a specific name of a person, place, or thing, and is always capitalized.
Example: Does Helen have much homework to do this evening? ⇒ Helen is the name of a specific person
- Common noun is the generic name of an item in a class or group and is not capitalized unless appearing at the beginning of a sentence or in a title.
Example: The boy crossed the river. ⇒ Girl is a common noun; we do not learn the identity of the girl by reading this sentence, though we know the action she takes. River is also a common noun in this sentence.
+ Types of common nouns:
- Concrete noun is something that is perceived by the senses; something that is physical or real.
Example: I heard the doorbell ⇒ Doorbell is a real thing that can be sensed.
- Abstract noun is something that cannot be perceived by the senses.
Example: We can’t imagine the courage it took to do that ⇒ Courage is an abstract noun. Courage can’t be seen, heard, or sensed in any other way, but we know it exists.
- Collective noun denotes a group or collection of people or things.
Example: That pack of lies is disgraceful. ⇒ Pack of lies as used here is a collective noun. Collective nouns take a singular verb as if they are one entity – in this case, the singular verb is.
6. Nouns suffixes
- When a noun suffix is added to a verb or an adjective, a noun will be formed.
- Some common noun suffixes:
|
Noun suffixes |
Examples |
|
-ion / -sion / -tion / |
demonstrate ⇒ demonstration |
|
-ity |
active ⇒ activity |
|
- ness |
weak ⇒ weakness |
|
-or/-er |
work ⇒ worker supervise ⇒ supervisor |
|
-ism |
multicultural ⇒ multiculturalism |
|
-ment |
employ ⇒ employment |
|
-al |
propose ⇒ proposal |
|
-sis |
analyze ⇒ analysis |
|
-ure |
fail ⇒ failure |
|
-ship |
intern ⇒ internship |
|
-th |
grow ⇒ growth |
|
-ant |
participate ⇒ participant |
|
-ee |
interview ⇒ interviewee |
|
-ance/-ency |
important ⇒ importance efficient ⇒ efficiency |