Nouns are one of the most fascinating ingredients in our grammar potion. So far, we have discovered several types of nouns: abstract nouns, concrete nouns, countable nouns, collective nouns, double nouns, and uncountable nouns.
This reminds us of something important: a noun is not limited to just one classification.
Common Nouns and Proper Nouns
Understanding the difference between common nouns and proper nouns helps us bring clarity and precision to our writing.
Common nouns name general people, places, things, ideas, and concepts.
Proper nouns name specific people, places, things, ideas, and concepts.
| Common | Proper |
| store | Walmart |
| city | Chicago |
| town | Prophetstown |
| TV | Samsung |
| movie | Shrek |
| girl | Hannah |
Think of it this way:
A common noun is like a general ingredient, while a proper noun is the exact ingredient you choose for your recipe.
Capitalization Rules (Your Potion’s Precision)
Proper nouns follow special rules because they point to something specific and important.
- Always capitalize proper nouns.
- Italicize titles of major works, such as books, movies, newspapers, magazines, trains, ships, and planes.
You also capitalize:
- holidays
- days of the week
- names of gods and religious figures
- months of the year
- names of specific people, places, things, ideas, and concepts
Tricky Ingredient: Relationship Nouns
Some nouns can change classification depending on how they are used. Relationship words are a perfect example: grandma, grandpa, aunt, cousin, uncle, sister, and brother.
- Relationship nouns are proper nouns when they are used as names or as part of a name.
My mom and Grandma Rose smell the roses.
- Relationship nouns are common nouns when they describe the relationship you have with a person.
My sister sent me a present.
The difference is subtle—but powerful. One names, and the other describes.
Another Tricky Ingredient: Directions
Directions can shift between common and proper nouns.
northeast, southeast, northwest, southwest, north, east, south, and west
- Capitalize when referring to a specific region:
Mom loves the cities in the North.
- Do not capitalize when giving a direction:
My mom travels north.
Again, it all depends on meaning, just like adjusting a potion for the right effect.
Words of Wisdom
“A man who can keep his monster inside is not a man of weakness but a man of great strength.”