What is Noun? Types and Rules of Nouns with Examples

What is a Noun?

A Noun is a word that names something, such as a person, place, thing, or idea. In a sentence, nouns can play the role of subject, direct object, indirect object, subject complement, object complement, appositive, or adjective.

Here are some examples:
person: man, woman, teacher, ram.
place: home, office, town, countryside, America.
thing: table, car, apple, money, fan,love, dog, cat.

Types of Noun:

1. Proper Noun
2. Common Noun
3. Collective Noun
4. Material Noun
5. Abstract Noun

1. Proper Nouns: Nouns that are used to name a person, place or thing specifically are called a proper noun. Proper nouns always begin with a capital letter.
E.g- My name is Rose. (Name of a particular person)
This is my dog, Bruno. (Name of a specific pet animal owned by someone)
David came back from Minsk. (Name of a specific place)

2. Common Noun: Common nouns are those nouns that refer to a generic item, group or place.
E.g- I bought a pen yesterday. (Common object)
I am going to school. (Common place).

3. Collective Noun: A collective noun is a naming word that is used to denote a group of objects, animals or people.
E.g- The jury is deciding the matter(Jury is collective Noun)
The committee meets every week.(Committee represents a group)

4. Material Noun: Material Noun is the substance, material, or thing which can be perceived by the senses.
E.g- My teacher sometimes forgets her keys in the classroom.(key is a thingso it’s noun).
The farmers produce cotton once a year.(cotton is Material Noun).
The doctor placed a silver tooth in his mouth.(Silver is Material Noun)

5. Abstract Noun: Any entity that cannot be perceived by the five senses of the human body are called an abstract noun.
E.g- Love is a strong emotion.(We can feel love but we can’t touch it so it’s a abstract Noun)
Honesty is the best policy.(Honesty is abstract Noun).

Further Noun are categorised in two parts:

Countable Noun
Non-Countable Noun

Countable nouns are those nouns that can be counted or measured.
E.g- Jerry brought five packets of lays for the trip. (specific number – five).
Dad asked me to buy a dozen eggs. (specific – dozen means twelve).

Uncountable nouns are those nouns that cannot be counted.
E.g- I have a lot of homework to do. (Not specific).
I have a cup of tea. (Cannot count).
We are facing terrible weather today. (Cannot count).

[wptb id=3236]

IMPORTANT RULES:

Rule 1

Some Nouns are always in their plural form and we can’t remove the ‘s’ that comes in end. These Noun always take plural verb. These are: Scissors, tongs, pliers, pincers, bellows, trousers, pants, pajamas,
shorts, gallows, fangs, spectacles, goggles, binoculars, eyeglasses, Alms, amends, archives, arrears, auspices, congratulations, embers, fireworks, lodgings, outskirts, particulars, proceeds, regards, riches, remains, savings, shambles, surroundings, tidings, troops, tactics, thanks, valuables, wages, belongings etc.

E.g- (a) Where are my trousers?
(b) Where are the spectacles?
(c) The proceeds were deposited in the bank.
(d) All his assets were seized.
(e) Alms are given to the beggars.

Rule 2

Some Nouns appear plural but they are singular in meaning. They always take singular verb with them.These are: News, Innings, Politics, Summons, Physics, Economics, Ethics, Mathematics, Mumps, Measles, Rickets,Shingles, Billiards, Athletics etc

E.g- (a) No news is good news.
(b) Politics is a dirty game.
(c) Physics is an interesting subject.

Rule 3

The meaning of some nouns is singular but they are used as plural nouns and they are also taken as plural verbs always.These are: cavalry, infantry, poultry, peasantry, cattle, children, gentry, police, people, etc.

E.g- (a) The police are doing good job.
(b) Cattle are grazing in field.

Rule 4

Some nouns are only in their singular form these are uncomfortable nouns and they can’t use articles a/an with them. These are:
Scenery, Poetry, Furniture, Advice, Information, Hair, Business, Mischief, Bread, Stationery, Crockery, Luggage, Baggage, Postage, Knowledge, Wastage, Jewellery, Breakage, Equipment,Work, Evidence etc.

E.g- (a) The scenery of Kashmir is very charming.
(b) I have no information about her residence.
(c) The mischief committed by him is unpardonable.
(d) His hair is black.

Rule 5

Hyphenated noun are not used in plural form.

E.g- (a) He gave me two hundred-rupee notes.
(b) He stays in five- star hotel.

Rule 6

Some nouns indicate length, measure, money, weight, or number but when they are preceded by a numeral, they remain unchanged in form.

E.g (a) It is a four–year degree course.
(b) I have two hundred rupees only.

Rule 7

Some noun are in both singular or plural form i.e deer,sheep, series ,
species, fish, crew, team, jury, aircraft, counsel etc.

E.g (a) Our team is the best.
(b) Our team are trying their new uniform.
(c) There are two fish in the pond.

Rule 8

If There is preposition after noun then the noun is repeated and it is in singular form.

E.g (a) Town after town was devastated.
(b) Row upon row of marble looks beautiful.
(c) He enquired from door to door.
(d) Ship after ship is arriving.

WORD DENOTING GROUP

1. A curriculum of studies.
2. A flight of steps, stairs.
3. A fleet of ships or motorcars.
4. A flock of geese, sheep and birds.
5. A gang of robbers, labourers.
6. A garland/bunch/bouquet of flowers.
7. A band of musicians.
8. A board of directors, etc.
9. A bevy of girls, women, officers etc.
10. A bunch of grapes, keys, etc.
11. A bundle of sticks and hay.
12. A caravan of Merchants, pilgrims,
    travellers.
13. A chain/range of mountains or hills.
14. A choir of singers.
15. A class of students.
16. A retinue of servants/ attendants.
17. A clump/grove of trees.
18. A code of laws.
19. A cluster / constellation/ galaxy of stars.
20. A company/regiment/army of soldiers.
21. A convoy of ships, cars etc.moving
    under an escort.
22. A course or series of lectures.
23. A crew of sailors.
24. A crowd/mob of people.
25. A series of events.