Unit 2 · Pre-A1 / A1
Naming Words — Nouns
What Is a Noun?
Everything around you has a name. The thing you sit on is called a "chair." The animal that barks is called a "dog." The person who teaches you is called a "teacher." Words that name things are called nouns. Nouns are everywhere — every time you say what something is, you probably use a noun.
Student-Friendly Definition: A noun is a word that names a person, place, animal, or thing.
Names of People
Everyone has a name. You have a name. Your parents have names. Your teacher has a name. Your friends have names. Words that name people are nouns. These nouns tell us who someone is.
Student-Friendly Definition: Names of people are nouns that tell us who someone is.
Names of Places
Where are you right now? You might be at home, in school, or at a park. The words "home," "school," and "park" all name places. Words that name places are nouns. Every place you can go to has a name, and every place-name is a noun.
Student-Friendly Definition: Names of places are nouns that tell us where something is or where something happens.
Names of Animals
Animals are all around us. Some live in our homes as pets. Some live on farms. Some live in forests, oceans, and jungles. Each kind of animal has a name, and every animal name is a noun. From tiny ants to enormous elephants, animal words are nouns.
Student-Friendly Definition: Names of animals are nouns that tell us what kind of living creature something is.
Names of Things
Look around you right now. What do you see? Perhaps a book, a chair, a table, a pencil, a window. All of these are "things." Words that name things are nouns. Thing-nouns are the largest group of nouns because there are so many objects in the world.
Student-Friendly Definition: Names of things are nouns that tell us what objects are called.
Common Nouns
Some words name one specific person, place, or thing. Other words name general categories. The word "cat" can mean any cat, not just one particular cat. The word "school" can mean any school, not just your school. These general naming words are called common nouns.
Student-Friendly Definition: A common noun is a general name for any person, place, animal, or thing. It does not point to one specific one.
Proper Nouns
Everyone has a special name. You have a special name that is just for you. Places have special names too — your city, your country, your school. Animals that are pets have special names. These special, specific names are called proper nouns.
Student-Friendly Definition: A proper noun is the special name of one particular person, place, animal, or thing. It always starts with a capital letter.
Capital Letters for Proper Nouns
When you write a special name — a person's name, a place name, or a day of the week — you must use a capital letter at the beginning. Capital letters are like a flag that says "This is a special name!" Understanding when to use capital letters for proper nouns is one of the most important writing rules.
Student-Friendly Definition: Proper nouns (special names) always start with a capital letter, no matter where they appear in a sentence.
Practise Naming Words — Nouns in a game — 8 friendly questions are ready.