If you’re learning English or brushing up on grammar, understanding common nouns is a great place to start. They’re everywhere—in every sentence you read, write, or say. But what exactly is a common noun, and how do you spot one?
Let’s break it down in a simple and clear way, with lots of examples to help you get the hang of it.
What Is a Common Noun?
A common noun is a word used to name general people, places, things, or ideas. Unlike proper nouns, which name specific people or places (like “Taylor Swift” or “New York”), common nouns are more general (like “singer” or “city”).
Quick definition:
Common noun: A general name for a person, place, thing, or idea.
Common Noun Examples
Here are a few examples in different categories:
People
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teacher
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doctor
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friend
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child
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artist
Example sentence: The teacher gave us homework.
Places
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school
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city
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park
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store
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country
Example sentence: We went to the store after school.
Things
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book
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phone
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car
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table
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shoe
Example sentence: I forgot my phone at home.
Ideas
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love
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freedom
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happiness
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education
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time
Example sentence: Love is the most powerful force.
Common Nouns vs. Proper Nouns
To keep things simple, remember this:
| Common Noun | Proper Noun |
|---|---|
| city | Los Angeles |
| country | Brazil |
| singer | Beyoncé |
| brand | Nike |
| dog | Max (the dog’s name) |
A common noun is not capitalized unless it starts a sentence. Proper nouns always start with a capital letter.
Why Are Common Nouns Important?
Common nouns help us describe the world around us. They allow us to talk about people and things in a general way, which is useful when we don’t need to be specific.
For example:
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“I saw a dog in the park.” (We don’t know its name—just that it’s a dog.)
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“She wants to be a doctor.” (We’re talking about the profession, not a specific person.)
Quick Grammar Tip
Always capitalize proper nouns.
Don’t capitalize common nouns—unless they start a sentence.
Fun Practice: Find the Common Nouns
Can you find the common nouns in the sentence below?
The boy kicked the ball across the field and ran to his friend.
Answer: boy, ball, field, friend
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re writing an essay, having a conversation, or reading a book, common nouns are everywhere. Mastering them helps you build better sentences and improve your overall English fluency.
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