Learn the Seven Types of English Nouns

One of the most important types of words in English are nouns. Nouns are a part of speech that indicate people, things, objects, concepts, etc. There are seven types of nouns in English.

Abstract Nouns

Abstract nouns are nouns that refer to concepts, ideas, and emotions, Abstract nouns are nouns that you cannot touch, are not made of materials, but play an important role in life. Here are some examples of common abstract nouns:

success
depression
love
hate
anger
power
importance
tolerance

Tom has had a lot of success this past year.
Many people prefer to let love inspire them rather than hate.
Jack has little tolerance for people who waste his time.
The desire for power has ruined many good people.

Collective Nouns

Collective nouns refer to groups of various types. Collective nouns are most commonly used with groups of animals. Collective nouns can be used in both the singular and plural form, although collective nouns tend to be used in the singular. Here are some common collective nouns referring to groups of animals:

herd
litter
pack
swarm
hive

The herd of cattle moved to a new field to graze.
Be careful! There's a hive of bees someone near here.

Collective nouns are also commonly used for names of institutions and groups within institutions such as academic, business, and governmental organizations.

department
firm
party
staff
team

Staff will meet at ten-thirty tomorrow morning.
The sales department met its goals last quarter.

Common Nouns

Common nouns refer to categories of things in general, never to specific examples. In other words, when speaking about education in general someone might refer to 'university' in a general sense.

I think Tom should go to university to study science.

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Types of Nouns

By Richard Nordquist

In this case, 'university' is a common noun. On the other hand, when 'university' is used as part of a name it becomes part of a proper noun (see below).

Meredith decided to go to the University of Oregon.

Note that common nouns that are used as the part of a name and become proper nouns are always capitalized. Here are some common nouns that are often used as common nouns and parts of names:

university
college
school
institute
department
state

There are a number of states which are in financial difficulty.
I think you need to go to college.

Concrete Nouns

Concrete nouns refer to things that you can touch, taste, feel, and see. There are actual things that we interact with on a daily basis. Concrete nouns can be both countable and uncountable. Here are some typical concrete nouns:

Countable Concrete Nouns

orange
desk
book
car
house

Uncountable Concrete Nouns

rice
water
pasta
whiskey

There are three oranges on the table.
I need some water. I'm thirsty!
My friend has just bought a new car.
Can we have rice for dinner?

The opposite of concrete nouns are abstract nouns that do not refer to things we touch, but to things we think, ideas we have, and emotions we feel.

Pronouns

Pronouns refer to people or things. There are a number of pronoun forms depending on how the pronouns are used. Here are the subject pronouns:

I
you
he
she
it
we
you
they

He lives in New York.
They like pizza.

There are many different forms of pronouns including subject, object, possessive, and demonstrative pronouns.

Proper Nouns

Proper nouns are the names of people, things, institutions, and nations. Proper nouns are always capitalized. Here are some examples of common proper nouns:

Canada
University of California
Tom
Alice

Tom lives in Kansas.
I'd love to visit Canada next year.

Uncountable Nouns/Mass Nouns/Non-Count Nouns

Uncountable nouns are also referred to as mass nouns or non-count nouns. Uncountable nouns can be both concrete and abstract nouns and are always used in the singular form because they cannot be counted. Here are some common uncountable nouns:

rice
love
time
weather
furniture

We're having lovely weather this week.
We need to get some new furniture for our home.

Uncountable nouns can generally do not take a definite or indefinite article depending on usage.

Noun Types Quiz

Decide whether the following nouns in italics are abstract, collective, proper, common, or concrete nouns. 

1. There are two books on that table. 
2. That pack of students are on their way to classes.
3. I grew up in Canada. 
4. She went to university in Alabama. 
5. You'll find that success can lead to pain as well as pleasure.
6. The team chose Barney as their leader. 
7. Have you ever tried straight whiskey?
8. I don't think he's in politics for power.
9. Let's make some pasta for dinner. 
10. Be careful! There is a swarm of bees over there.

Answers

1. books - concrete noun 
2. pack - collective noun
3. Canada - proper noun
4. university - common noun
5. success - abstract noun
6. team - collective noun
7. whiskey - concrete noun (uncountable)
8. power - abstract noun
9. pasta - concrete noun (uncountable)
10. swarm - collective noun