Proper nouns and common nouns

Common nouns are names of people, places and things in general. Examples are: mother, tiger, city and table.

Proper nouns are the names of a particular person, place or thing. Examples are: Karan, India, Jasmine, Antarctica, Greenland and Alps.

In the following sentences underline the common nouns and circle the proper nouns.

Tips:

It is easy to identify proper nouns – they always start with a capital letter.

It is easy to identify common nouns – they have both singular and plural forms.

1. The boys were flying kites on the beach.

2. There was an earthquake in Italy on Monday.

3. Radha bought a bicycle for her brother.

4. India is the seventh largest country in the world.

5. Jane, my sister, wants to be an airhostess.

6. I forgot my umbrella at home.

7. America is one of the most developed countries in the world.

8. Agra is on the banks of river Yamuna.

9. The coach was angry when the boys lost the championship.

10. Titanic is the name of the ship that sank on its maiden journey.

Answers

1. The boys were flying kites on the beach. (boys, kites and beach – common noun)

2. There was an earthquake in Italy on Monday. (earthquake – common noun; Italy and Monday – proper nouns)

3. Radha bought a bicycle for her brother. (Radha – proper noun; bicycle and brother – common nouns)

4. India is the seventh largest country in the world. (India – proper noun; country and world – common nouns)

5. Jane, my sister, wants to be an airhostess. (Jane – proper noun; sister and airhostess – common nouns)

6. I forgot my umbrella at home. (umbrella and home – common nouns)

7. America is one of the most developed countries in the world. (America – proper noun; countries and world – common nouns)

8. Agra is on the banks of river Yamuna. (Agra and Yamuna – proper nouns; banks and river – common nouns)

9. The coach was angry when the boys lost the championship. (coach, boys and championship – common nouns)

10. Titanic is the name of the ship that sank on its maiden journey. (Titanic – proper noun; ship, name and journey – common nouns)

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