Nouns

 A noun is a naming word.

There are four types of noun:

• Common Nouns
• Proper Nouns
• Collective Nouns
• Abstract Nouns

Common Nouns

Common nouns  are names for everyday or ordinary things.

• The things named are tangible (ie you can see, hear, feel, touch or taste them).
• The names for these things (nouns) are general (ie, not specific/unique to the individual person or thing).

eg: dog; cat; table; chair; book; woman, teacher, car, builder, etc.

Proper Nouns

Proper nouns tend to be the specific or official names of things, places, people organisations etc. 

• Proper nouns are unique and specific to what they name. 
• Proper nouns must be written in with a capital letter at the beginning.
• They include first names, surnames, towns, countries, cities, organisations, brands, titles of works of art such as books, movies, songs etc.
• Like common common nouns they are tangible.

e.g. South Africa, William Shakespeare, Durban,

Soweto, Nando's, Hout Bay etc.

Collective Nouns

Collective Nouns are words that group other nouns together.

Collective Nouns are mostly tangible but can be intagible.

e.g. (tangible):

• A staff of teachers
• A gaggle of geese
• A bouquet of flowers
• A school of fish
• A flock of sheep
• A cast of actors
• A troupe of dancers
• A band / orchestra of musicians
• A choir of singers
• A union of workers
• A gang of thieves
• A board of directors

e.g. (intangible):

• A range of emotions
• A set of ideals

Abstract Nouns

Abstract Nouns are intangible (you can't engage with them through your 5 senses).

These can be emotions, themes or ideas etc. 

e.g. love, hate, passion, unity, marriage etc.