Common and proper nouns
Common nouns refer to a general person, place or thing. Proper nouns name a specific one and are capitalized in English.
Concrete and abstract nouns
Concrete nouns refer to things that can be experienced through the senses. Abstract nouns name ideas, states or qualities such as patience, freedom or honesty.
Countable and uncountable nouns
Countable nouns have singular and plural forms and can be counted individually. Uncountable nouns are generally treated as a mass or category and use different quantifiers.
Forming plural nouns
Many nouns add -s or -es. Some change spelling, such as child to children, while others have the same singular and plural form. Check irregular forms when editing.
Frequently asked questions
Does every noun have a plural form?
No. Some uncountable nouns are not normally pluralized, and some nouns have unchanged singular and plural forms.
Should proper nouns be capitalized?
Yes. Names of specific people, places, organizations and many named events are capitalized.