Types of Nouns
Abstract Nouns
An abstract noun is a type of noun that refers to something with
which a person cannot physically interact. A noun is a person,
place or thing. However, in many cases, the 'thing' might be an
intangible concept – which means it is an abstract form of noun. In
this instance, abstract means to exist apart from concrete existence.
A noun that is abstract is an aspect, concept, idea, experience, state
of being, trait, quality, feeling, or other entity that cannot be
experienced with the five senses.
Collective Nouns
Although typically words that identify more than one person, place,
or thing are made plural in the English language, collective nouns
are an exception. This unique class of nouns denotes a group of
people, animals, objects, or concepts or ideas as a single entity.
Common Noun
The standard definition of a noun is that it names a person, place,
or thing. But that is not all.
• A noun can refer to anything that is living or non-living, animate
or inanimate.
It can also name a place or an abstract idea.
Concrete Noun
Would you like to know the difference between concrete nouns
and abstract nouns? Concrete nouns are things that you can
experience through your five senses: sight, smell, hearing, taste,
and touch. On the other hand, abstract nouns refer to ideas and
concepts.
Compound Noun
A compound noun contains two or more words that join together to
make a single noun. Compound nouns can be words written
together, words that are hyphenated, or separate words that go
together by meaning.
Most compound nouns contain at least one noun. The other word
or words may be an adjective, preposition, or verb. The second
word is almost always the main word, with the first word
modifying it or adding to its meaning.
Compound words, a large group of words to which compound
nouns belong, are expressed in three ways.
• Closed form - has two words that have melded together to make
one word, like: softball, redhead, makeup, and keyboard.
• Hyphenated form examples are: six-pack, five-year-old, and
son-in-law.
• Open form - has the words next to each other, like: post office,
upper class, and attorney general.
Predicate Noun (Nominative)
A predicate noun is also called a predicate nominative. A predicate
noun has a dual function in a sentence. Following is an explanation
of the predicate noun and some examples.
Predicate Noun - The Completer
A predicate noun is a single noun or a noun phrase that renames
the subject of a sentence and follows a form of the verb “to be” or
another linking verb. Forms of the verb “to be” include:
is, was, am, are, be, being, been, has been, may be, and were
Other verbs that may be linking verbs or action verbs include:
smell, taste, feel, sound, grow, seem, remain, become, continue,
appear, turn, and stay
Predicate Nominative
A predicate nominative or predicate noun completes a linking verb
and renames the subject. It is a complement or completer because it
completes the verb. Predicate nominatives complete only linking
verbs. The linking verbs include the following: the helping verbs is,
am, are, was, were, be, being, and been; the sense verbs look, taste,
smell, feel, and sound; and verbs like become, seem, appear, grow,
continue, stay, and turn.
The word equals can always replace the verb in a sentence having
a predicate nominative. Examples: Mr. Johansson is a teacher. Mr.
Johansson equals a teacher. Mr. Johansson is a father. Mr.
Johansson equals a father. Mr. Johansson is my neighbor. Mr.
Johansson equals my neighbor.
1. Ann is a new mother.
Ann = subject, is = verb, mother = predicate nominative
2. The black dog in the yard was a large Doberman.
dog = subject, was = verb, Doberman = predicate nominative
3. The tall boy has been our best basketball player.
boy = subject, has been = verb, player = predicate nominative
4. My uncle became a rich computer expert.
uncle = subject, became = verb, expert = predicate nominative
5. Mr. Bush was our 43rd President.
Mr. Bush = subject, was = verb, president = predicate nominative
More examples of sentences with the predicate nouns underlined
are:
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Mr. Smith is a doctor.
My son became a professional soccer player.
Mary Smith may be our next president.
The children seemed excited about Christmas.
J. K. Rowling is an excellent author.
Wind turbines are an alternative source of power.
Pavarotti was a great singer.
For the next twenty years, we remained friends.
A predicate noun is also called a completer, or complement,
because it completes the verb. The verb in this case is called an
intransitive verb and must be followed by a noun or noun phrase.
This noun or noun phrase completes the meaning of the sentence.
Every sentence has a subject and a predicate, so the intransitive
verb and the predicate noun make up the predicate of the
sentence.