Common nouns

Common nouns are the names common to people and things .

For example:

• woman
• flower
• dog.

Proper nouns

Proper nouns are the names of a particular place or person.

For example:

• Australia
• Professor Lee
• Pitt Street
• Broken Hill

or titles of films:

• books
• songs
• magazines
• plays.

These nouns need to start with a capital letter.

Collective nouns

Collective nouns are the names of a group of people and things.

For example:

• a hive of bees
• a class of pupils
• a bunch of flowers.

Abstract nouns

Abstract nouns are something we can’t see or touch but are often feelings or emotions.

For example:

• friendship
• enthusiasm.

Compound nouns

Compound nouns are made of two nouns together that have a meaning different from the individual nouns.

For example:

• lighthouse
• cupboard
• bookshelf
• butterfly.

Noun groups

Noun groups are a group of words telling who or what is involved. It may include adjectives and nouns linked together.

For example:

• The little black and white spotted dog ran home.

A noun group can also include adjectival phrases and clauses.

For example:

• The house with the broken windows is for sale.
• The house that we saw yesterday is for sale.