Types of Nouns

Common, Proper, or Collective

Common Nouns

• A common noun is a general name for a person, place, thing or idea.– Common Nouns are usually not capitalized

teacherbook city

Proper Nouns

• A proper noun is the name of a particular person, place, thing, or idea.– Proper nouns are always capitalized.

Mrs. Sedberry Peak by Roland Smith Madison, Alabama

Turn & Talk: Common & Proper1. Ironically, Jefferson davis had been sworn in as

the new president of the Confederacy on the steps of that same building.

2. The church was located on dexter avenue and was called dexter avenue baptist church.

3. The church was close to the impressive alabama state capitol, where the legislature meets.

4. The letter stated that the church would be happy to have king preach.

5. While still working on his doctorial degree, king received a letter from a church in montgomery, Alabama.

Collective Nouns

• A collective noun is a word that names a group of people or things. – Examples: community, audience, panel,

crowd, class, government, staff, band, choir– A panel of scientists presented their findings.

• Some collective nouns name specific groups of animals or sometimes people.– Examples: pack, herd, colony

Collective nouns

• Collective nouns can have either a singular or a plural meaning. – When referring to the group as a unit, the

noun has a singular meaning.– When referring to the individual members of

the group, the noun has a plural meaning. – Examples: The team works on its defensive

plays.

The team go to their individual lockers.

Let’s Practice

1. Swimming in the shallow water was a shoal of herrings.

2. A flock of sheep was happily grazing in the field.

3. All night we could hear the pack of wolves howling.

4. Looking out to sea, we noticed a pod of dolphins swimming.

5. The pride of lions slept all day on the African plains.