Common Nouns - Definition, Examples and Usage (2024)

Often heard about proper nouns and common nouns? Want to learn more about it? This article on common nouns will help you in understanding the definition of a common noun, the difference between proper nouns and common nouns and the usage of common nouns in sentences. Check out the following topics for a good understanding of common nouns.

Table of Contents

  • What Is a Common Noun?
    • Common Noun Definition
  • Examples of Common Nouns
    • Common Nouns Referring to Human Beings
    • Common Nouns Referring to Animals
    • Common Nouns Referring to Birds
    • Common Nouns Referring to Insects
    • Common Nouns Referring to Reptiles
    • Common Nouns Referring to Places
    • Common Nouns Referring to Things/Objects
    • Common Nouns Referring to Ideas
  • Examples of Common Nouns Used in Sentences
  • Frequently Asked Questions on Common Nouns

What Is a Common Noun?

Nouns are classified into two main categories – common nouns and proper nouns. While proper nouns are naming words that refer to specific people, places, brands, months, days, important historical events, eras and periods, nationalities, countries and languages; common nouns refer to common terms that are used to name common people, places, animals, birds, insects, reptiles, ideas, objects and so on.

Common Noun Definition

The definition of a common noun, according to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, is ‘a noun that may occur with limiting modifiers (such as a or an, some, every, and my) and that designates any one of a class of beings or things’. According to the Cambridge Dictionary, a common noun is defined as ‘a noun that is the name of a group of similar things, such as “table” or “book”, and not of a single person, place, or thing’.

Examples of Common Nouns

Common Nouns Referring to Human Beings

  • Lad
  • Girl
  • Boy
  • Individual
  • Child
  • Chap
  • Woman
  • Female
  • Man
  • Male
  • Citizen
  • Lass

Common Nouns Referring to Animals

  • Elephant
  • Dog
  • Pet
  • Goat
  • Horse
  • Pig
  • Donkey
  • Chimpanzee
  • Animal
  • Cow
  • Calf
  • Pup
  • Kitten

Common Nouns Referring to Birds

  • Dove
  • Crow
  • Pelican
  • Flamingo
  • Bird
  • Duck
  • Goose
  • Swan
  • Cuckoo
  • Sparrow
  • Hummingbird
  • Eagle
  • Vulture

Common Nouns Referring to Insects

  • Housefly
  • Mosquito
  • Grasshopper
  • Honeybee
  • Stick insect
  • Insect
  • Wasp
  • Ant
  • Beetle
  • Butterfly

Common Nouns Referring to Reptiles

  • Snake
  • Crocodile
  • Alligator
  • Monitor lizard
  • Chameleon

Common Nouns Referring to Places

  • College
  • Airport
  • School
  • Railway station
  • Court
  • Terminus
  • Street
  • State
  • District
  • Junction
  • Bus stand
  • Clinic
  • Store
  • Playground

Common Nouns Referring to Things/Objects

  • Stationery
  • Water bottle
  • Car
  • Spray
  • Plant
  • Necklace
  • Tie
  • Shoes
  • Orange
  • Cucumber
  • Thread
  • Pant

Common Nouns Referring to Ideas

  • Truth
  • Grace
  • Discovery
  • Cleanliness
  • Poverty
  • Movement
  • Idea
  • Though
  • Feeling
  • Expression

Examples of Common Nouns Used in Sentences

Here are some examples of common nouns used in sentences.

  • I did not go to school yesterday as I was sick.
  • Where can I find a restaurant?
  • Thecomputer is not working properly.
  • Your hair looks really good.
  • The girls took a trip to Goa.
  • Do you want to go watch a movie?
  • Marian likes her new cycle.
  • The man was arrested for stealing his neighbour’s car tyres.
  • Mom asked me to open the door.
  • My roommate just moved out.

Frequently Asked Questions on Common Nouns

Q1

What is a common noun?

Common nouns refer to common terms that are used to name common people, places, animals, birds, insects, reptiles, ideas, objects and so on.

Q2

Give 10 examples of common nouns.

Fork, dish, goat, dove, man, child, boat, ship, ambulance, water bottle are 10 examples of common nouns.

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Common Nouns - Definition, Examples and Usage (2024)

FAQs

What are 10 examples of common nouns? ›

Fork, dish, goat, dove, man, child, boat, ship, ambulance, water bottle are 10 examples of common nouns.

What is the definition of common noun short answer? ›

A common noun is a non-specific person, place, or thing. For example, dog, girl, and country are examples of common nouns. In contrast, proper nouns name a specific person, place, or thing. Common nouns are typically not capitalized, but there are two exceptions to this rule.

What is the 5 example of common noun? ›

Wherever you go, you'll find at least one common noun. Street, closet, bathroom, school, mall, gas station, living room; all of these places are things, and thus they are common nouns.

What are some easy examples of common noun? ›

A common noun is used to name general things, places, ideas, events, or people. such as – boy, man, girl, doctor, teacher, washerman, students, country, city, street, animal, fan, mobile, cookies, year, month, week, etc.

What are the 20 examples of common nouns? ›

For example; all words such as tree, water, sea, Tommy, New York, Samara and hat are known as 'noun'.

What is a list of 20 common nouns? ›

Ans: List of 20 common noun examples are: Table, Bottle, Woman, Child, Brother, Monkey, Lion, Girl, Boy, Male, City, Beach, Shoes, Book, Pencil, Movie, Car, Game, Family, Day.

Is girl a common noun? ›

The word 'girl' is a common noun. It refers to a person but not by her specific name. If the name of a specific girl, such as Jennifer, is used, then that is a proper noun.

Is a school a common noun? ›

Answer and Explanation:

' When 'school' is used in a general way and does not name a specific school, it is a common noun. This sentence uses 'school' as a common noun: 'I used to walk to school every day. '

Is day a common noun? ›

Answer and Explanation:

The noun "day" is a common noun. It does not give the name of a specific day.

What are common nouns Grade 8? ›

Common nouns refer to people, places and things in general like chair or dog. Any noun that is not a name is a common noun. Have you seen my dog? The books are on your desk.

How do you identify a common noun and a proper noun? ›

The difference between common and proper nouns is that common nouns refer to general things (like "a city" or "a mountain"), and proper nouns refer to specific, named things (like "Chicago" or "Mt. Kilimanjaro"). Proper nouns are always capitalized, and common nouns are only capitalized at the beginning of sentences.

What is common noun and proper noun answer? ›

Proper nouns are defined by contrast with common nouns—that is, if a noun isn't proper, it's common, and vice versa. Proper nouns name specific people, things, and places. They are always capitalized. Common nouns are more general—they name generic types of people, things, and places.

Is dog a common noun? ›

Answer and Explanation:

The noun 'dog' is usually used as a common noun. It is not capitalized. In general, if you are writing the name of a specific breed of dog, only the part of the name which derived from a proper noun is capitalized.

What is a common noun Grade 5? ›

A common noun names a general type of person, place, thing, or idea. It is not the name of a person, place, thing, or idea. A common noun is not capitalised unless it is the first word of a sentence. A proper noun is the specific name of a person, place, thing, or idea.

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