1Part I: What Are Nouns?

We use words to name the people, places, and things around us. We also have names for ideas, beliefs, and feelings – things we cannot see. Words that name are called nouns.

A noun is a word used to name a person, place, thing, or idea.

Exercise: Make three columns on a sheet of paper. Label them Names of Persons, Names of Places, Names of Things and Ideas. Find the nouns in the following paragraph. List each one in the proper column.

Frisbees have been part of our recreation for over thirty years. The first Frisbees were plates made of tin that were tossed back and forth by workers at the Frisbee Baking Company in Connecticut. This game inspired one of the players with an idea. Soon, discs called Frisbees were being manufactured. Their popularity with both children and adults grew very quickly. The game has now become a competitive sport, with an international championship determined each year in Pasadena.

PROPER NOUNS AND COMMON NOUNS

A common noun is the name of a whole group of persons, places, things, or ideas.

A proper noun is the name of a particular person, place, thing, or idea.

Look at the following examples of common nouns and proper nouns. As you can see, some nouns are made up of more than one word. Note that proper nouns are always capitalized.

Common noun Proper nounmagazine Sports Illustratedmountain Mount Everestcity Shakopeeauthor Edgar Allan Poe

Exercise A: Make two columns on your paper. Label one column Common Nouns and the other Proper Nouns. Place each of the following nouns in the correct column.

1. holiday inn, motel, seabreeze motel, shores hotel2. restaurant, diner, applebees, cafeteria3. singer, paul mccartney, album, willie nelson, ballad4. shakopee, village, minnetonka, town, honolulu5. court, judge, judge ellen rodriguez, jury6. nation, new zealand, spain, country, canada7. airlines, northwest airlines, airport, quantas airlines8. los angeles county hospital, clinic, sheridan dental clinic9. first national bank, bank, banker, mr. james black, continental bank10. team, minnesota vikings, manager, cheerleader

2What Are Nouns?A noun is a word used to name a person, place, thing, or idea.

PERSONS: child, Jody, lawyer, Robert Redford, friendPLACES: gym, Denver, restaurant, Egypt, Lake PlacidTHINGS: rice, sailboat, alligator, World Trade CenterIDEAS: beauty, fear, justice, liberty

A common noun is the name of a whole group of persons, places, things, or ideas.A proper noun is the name of a particular person, place, thing, or idea. Proper nouns are always capitalized.

Common nouns Proper nounsteam Minnesota Vikingsartist Pablo Picassocollege University of Minnesotabook Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone

Recognizing Nouns: Underline the nouns in the following sentence and label them common or proper.

1. The success of the show please the actors.

2. Anthony plays the saxophone in our band.

3. The book A Separate Peace is set during wartime.

4. Conners lobbed the ball over the net.

5. Janet worked as a lifeguard at North Beach.

6. Victoria Woodhill ran for President in 1872.

7. Many people admired the skill and determination of the paramedics.

8. The contest offered a trip to Hawaii.

9. Cuba is an island ninety miles from Key West, Florida.

10. The helicopter landed this morning at Logan Airport.

Identifying Common and Proper Nouns. Write each of the following nouns in the appropriate blank. Capitalize all proper nouns.asia brooklyn bridge united states post officehurricane david maria callas national parkequality salt lake city cafeteria

1. Common nouns_____________________________________________________

2. Proper nouns ______________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

3Part II: How Are Nouns Used?

Nouns can perform many different functions in a sentence. A noun may act as a subject, direct object, indirect object, or predicate word. Study the following examples:

Scientists can predict earthquakes. (The noun scientists is the subject of the verb can predict.)

The magician amazed the audience. (The noun audience is the direct object. It receives the action of the verb amazed.)

The coach showed the quarterback a new play. (The noun quarterback is the indirect object. It tells to whom about the verb showed.)

Gary became a carpenter’s assistant. (The noun assistant is a predicate noun. It follows the linking verb became.)

Exercise A: Tell whether the italicized noun in each sentence is functioning as subject, direct object, indirect object, or predicate word.

1. A chemical factory dumps wastes into this river.2. The Euro is a British coin.3. The Prime Minister solemnly addressed Parliament.4. Our catcher flashed the pitcher a secret signal.5. The first contestant in the rodeo competition roped her steer in under 30 seconds.6. Were Laurel and Hardy actors in silent films, too?7. That legend has been told for centuries.8. Into the hollow log slipped the frightened fox.9. Dad and I made pickles from cucumbers.10. The bored waiter handed each diner a menu.

Exercise B: Make four columns on your paper. Label them subject, indirect object, direct object, and predicate word. Write each of the nouns in the following sentences in the correct column.

1. The Olympic marathon covers twenty-six miles.2. Police read the sullen suspect his rights.3. The great “Satchmo” was Louis Armstrong.4. Even small businesses can use computers.5. Did all three movies feature Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, and Harrison Ford?6. The old fisherman showed Ricardo his handmade nets and hooks.7. The Steelers are tough defensive players.8. The persistent interviewer asked the President a complex question.9. Leonardo da Vinci was both a scientist and an artist.10. Television reporters and photographers recorded the devastating flood.

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Nouns Used as SubjectsThe subject of a sentence tells who or what is being talked about. Nouns are frequently

used as subjects. Several gazelles were drinking from the stream. (The noun gazelles is the subject

of the verb were drinking)Two or more nouns may form a compound subject.

The Queen and several other national leaders met recently in Buckingham Palace. (The nouns Queen and leaders are the subject of the verb met.)

Recognizing Nouns Used as Subjects. Underline the nouns used as subjects in the following sentence. Circle the verbs.

1. Carla bought a ticket for the Julio Iglesias concert.

2. A fierce wind knocked over the goal posts.

3. Our custodian fixed the ancient washing machine.

4. The prosecutor addressed the jury.

5. Phillip tried out for the basketball team.

6. The sale on aquariums will last for the rest of the month.

7. Sports Illustrated carried an article on Jesse Orosco.

8. Ramon and Tracy will represent our school at the regional speech meet.

9. The band plays Dixieland jazz and blues.

10. Many people enjoyed the mayor’s acceptance speech.

11. After the meeting, coffee and doughnuts were served.

12. The audience clapped along with the music.

13. Margaret and Lloyd entered the art competition.

14. Silver and gold are precious metals.

15. A debate about tax increases will be held before the election.

16. The green backpack is too big for Shawn.

17. The sun is 864,940 miles in diameter.

18. Onions and garlic should be stored in dark places.

19. Does this shop repair electronic games?

20. A wire in the transformer has snapped.5

Nouns Used as Direct ObjectsA direct object completes the action of a verb. It answers whom or what about the verb. Nouns

are frequently used as direct objects. Firefighters fought the blaze. (The noun blaze tells what about the verb fought.) Andrea met John and Mary. (The nouns John and Mary are direct objects. They tell

whom about the verb met.)

Recognizing Nouns Used as Direct Objects. Circle the nouns used as direct objects in the following sentences. Underline the subject once and underline the verb twice.

1. Matthew bought the album yesterday.

2. The doctors sewed up the incision.

3. Early horses had toes.

4. Luckily, Devonne didn’t hear the joke.

5. The plane circled the airport for an hour.

6. Several recent movies feature Meryl Streep.

7. Lisa examined the blueprints of the house.

8. Scientists are studying the behavior of insects before earthquakes.

9. The Spanish Club has accepted six new members.

10. Several students built a model of the Wright brothers’ plane.

11. Voyager I observed Jupiter and Saturn.

12. The miners entered the tunnel cautiously.

13. Lois enjoys history and math.

14. Mr. Pak paid his electric bill by mail.

15. The crew dynamited the abandoned building.

16. That old brass key opens the wooden trunk in the attic.

17. Leon scrubbed the algae off the fishbowl.

18. I recognized Holly’s voice immediately.

19. Marty prefers songs from Broadway musicals.

20. Photomart donated a camera and a projector to our raffle.

21. Ms. W. A. Cochran invented the automatic dishwasher.

22. The exchange student from Peru speaks Spanish, French, and English.

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Nouns Used as Indirect Objects

An indirect object tells to whom or from whom or to what or for what about the verb. An indirect object is used only with a direct object. The indirect object appears between the verb and the direct object.

The clerk wrote the customer a receipt. (The noun customer is the indirect object. It tells for whom about the verb wrote.)

Brad gave the walls and the ceiling two coats of paint. (The nouns walls and ceiling are the compound indirect object, telling to what about the verb gave.)

Recognizing Nouns Used as Direct Objects. Circle and label the nouns used as indirect objects (IO) in the following sentences. Underline the subject once, underline the verb twice, and circle and label the direct object (DO).

1. Her employer paid Kim one week’s salary.

2. The manager gave Courtney the sales report for the month of July.

3. Junko Taby told the reporters the story of her climb up Mt. Everest.

4. Pam showed Yvette her collection of Michael Jackson albums.

5. Sheila lent Greg a copy of A Raisin in the Sun.

6. The angry politician wrote the editor a letter.

7. The nurse handed the surgeon a scalpel and a sponge.

8. The surprise ending gave the audience a shock.

9. The pitcher threw the batter a fast ball.

10. Terry offered Mark an Sony a ride to the amusement park.

11. Jacqueline Jones, of Lindale, Texas, wrote her sister a letter over a million words long.

12. The trainer fed the seal a bucketful of fish.

13. The clerk at the department store sent the company my broken calculator.

14. Lana made her friend a quilt for Christmas.

15. The official handed John McEnroe a beautiful silver trophy.

16. The banks of the United States and Europe loaned Brazil several billion dollars.

17. A nurse slowly fed the patient some soup.

18. The city council gave the mayor its complete support.

19. The cartoonist drew Alan a funny picture.

20. An ambassador from Kenya told the President the good news.

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Nouns Used as Predicate NounsSometimes a noun in the predicate part of a sentence is linked to the subject. That noun

is called a predicate noun. It always follows a linking verb (ex: is, am, was, were, be, being, been). It has the same meaning as the subject.

Robin Williams is a well known comedian. The winners of the race were Renee and Patty.

Recognizing Nouns Used as Predicate Nouns. Circle and label the Predicate Nouns (PN). Underline the subject once and underline the verb twice.

1. Anita is our best swimmer.

2. The movie monster was a creature from outer space.

3. Charles Moncke was the inventor of the “monkey wrench.”

4. A carpenter is a skilled worker.

5. The only props in our play were a table and a chair.

6. Marco Polo was a citizen of Venice.

7. These small plants are begonias.

8. Deborah and Joel will be the next contestants.

9. Eddie Murphy is a popular performer.

10. The Heisman Memorial Trophy is an award for college football players.

11. Johnny Appleseed became a famous folk hero.

12. The heroes of the novel are Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson.

13. Kathleen Lindsay was the author of over nine hundred novels.

14. Darcy’s favorite sports are basketball and soccer.

15. Eggplant is a fruit.

16. The Russian wolfhound is a tall, lean dog.

17. A dromedary is a camel.

18. One space station was Skylab.

19. The first black general in the United States Army was Benjamin O. Davis, Sr.

20. The target is the tin can on the stump.

21. Whales are the best jumpers in the animal kingdom.

22. Persia became Iran in 1935.

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Part III: The Plurals of Nouns

When a noun names on thing, it is singular. When a noun names more than one thing, it is plural. Here are some of the rules for forming the plurals of nouns:

1. To form the plural of most nouns, just add –s:prizes dreams circles stations

2. When the singular noun ends in s, sh, ch, x, or z, add –es.waitresses brushes ditches axes buzzes

3. When the singular noun ends in o, add –s.solos halos studios photos pianos

For a few words ending in o, add –es.heroes tomatoes potatoes echoes cargoes

4. When a singular noun ends in y with a consonant before it, change the y to i and add –es.

army – armies candy – candies baby – babies

When a vowel (a, e, i, o, u) comes before the y, do not change the y to i. Just add – s.boy – boys way – ways jockey – jockeys

5. For some nouns ending in f, add –s to make the plural:roofs chiefs reefs beliefs

6. Some nouns have the same form for both singular and plural. They must be memorized.

deer sheep moose salmon trout scissors

7. Some nouns form their plurals in special ways. They, too, must be memorized.

man – men tooth – teeth ox – oxenwoman – women mouse – mice foot – feetgoose – geese child – children louse – lice

.

9Exercise A: Write the plural form of each of these nouns.

1. leaf ____________________ 2. year ____________________

3. deer____________________ 4. holiday __________________

5. coach ____________________ 6. sky ______________________

7. knife _____________________ 8. tooth _____________________

9. radio _____________________ 10. fox ______________________

11. echo ______________________ 12. tomato ____________________

13. bunch ______________________ 14. window ______________________

15. moose ______________________ 16. spy________________________

17. goose ________________________ 18. hoof _______________________

19. wish _________________________ 20. copy _______________________

Exercise B: Write each sentence. Correct any errors in plural forms of nouns.

1. The childs were told not to play ball in the alleys or ride their bikes in the street.

2. The donkeys carried pouchs of gold.

3. Several tooths from sharks were found on the beachs near the hotel.

4. These forks and knifes are scratched.

5. Basketball hoops are ten foots from the floor.

6. Both armies crawled forward by inchs.

7. The sheeps and calfs re kept in separate halfs of the pasture.

8. There are many types of passs and shots in the game.

9. Red tile roves are common in the small towns and villages of southern Italy.

10. Terry Fox is one of my heros.

10The Plurals of Nouns

1. To form the plural of most nouns, just add –s:tables plans charts

2. When the singular noun ends in s, sh, ch, x or z, add –es:dresses bushes churches buzzes

3. When a singular noun ends in o, add –s:Photos autos stereos pianos

For a few words ending in o, add –es: tomatoes, potatoes, heroes, echoes

4. When a singular noun ends in y with a consonant before it, change the y to i and add –es:

Studies stories copies dairiesWhen a vowel comes before the y, do not change the y to i. Just add –s: toys, plays, journeys

5. For some nouns ending in f, add –s. For many nouns ending in f or fe, however, change the f to v and add –s or –es.roof-roofs chief-chiefs shelf-shelves thief-thieves

6. Some nouns have the same form for both singular and plural.deer sheep moose salmon trout

7. Some nouns form their plurals in special ways.tooth-teeth woman-women foot-feet child-children

Forming Plurals. Write the plural of each of the following nouns.

1. party ____________________________ 11. solo ________________________

2. alley ____________________________ 12. chief _________________________

3. radio ____________________________ 13. minute _______________________

4. dish _____________________________ 14. piano ________________________

5. box ______________________________ 15. day __________________________

6. potato ____________________________ 16. baby _________________________

7. foot ______________________________ 17. ox ___________________________

8. woman ___________________________ 18. holiday _______________________

9. deer _____________________________ 19. jalopy ________________________

10. porch ___________________________ 20. elf ___________________________

11Part IV: The Possessives of Nouns

Ownership is indicated by adding ‘s to a noun like Meg’s book. These are called possessive nouns. Usually, only people and animals are considered able to possess items or qualities. Sometimes, however, things can also show possession. We speak of a week’s wages or a day’s work.

Forming PossessivesThere are 3 rules for forming the possessive of nouns.

1. If a noun is singular, add an apostrophe (‘) and s.Amanda – Amanda’s arm Ross – Ross’s desk

2. If a noun is plural and ends in s, add just the apostrophe.artists – artists’ studios Spencers – Spencers’ home

3. If a noun is plural but does not end in s, add an apostrophe and s.women – women’s discussion people – people’s choice

Exercise A: Write the possessive form of each of these singular nouns.1. mayor _______________________ 2. Meg ____________________3. country ______________________ 4. senator ____________________5. today ________________________ 6. ranch _____________________7. child _________________________ 8. player ______________________9. Penny _________________________ 10. host _______________________

Exercise B: Write the possessive form of each of these plural nouns.1. people ________________________ 2. fans ______________________3. brothers _______________________ 4. hours _____________________5. experts ________________________ 6. guests _____________________7. friends ________________________ 8. women ____________________9. doctors ________________________ 10. teachers ___________________

Exercise C: Write the possessive form for each italicized word.1. The Bears lineup looks strong.2. Jerry car needs new shock absorbers.3. Tuesday game pits the Vikings against the Packers.4. The voters choice is Ms. Marie Tonelli.5. Reynolds beat the other racers times.6. Louis favorite class is computer science.7. The assistant state attorney met with the reporters.8. The children zoo has baby animals.9. A doctor measured the astronauts pulses.10. Donna neighborhood has a big barbecue every Fourth of July.

12The Possessive of Nouns

Some nouns indicate ownership or possession. They are called possessive nouns.Mrs. Clark’s dog Kathy’s idea the mayor’s speech

Here are three rules for forming the possessive of nouns:1. If the noun is singular, add an apostrophe (‘) and –s.

wrestler – wrestler’s hold Pat – Pat’s coat2. If the noun is plural and ends in –s, add just the apostrophe.

students – students’ papers Browns – Browns’ car3. If the noun is plural but does not end in –s, add an apostrophe and –s.

children – children’s questions geese – geese’s noise

Forming Possessives. Write the possessive form of the following nouns.

1. cities __________________________ 7. lawyers _______________________-___

2. cousin _________________________ 8. employer _________________________

3. runners ________________________ 9. week ____________________________

4. county _________________________ 10. gardener __________________________

5. boys ___________________________ 11. women ___________________________

6. people _________________________ 12. Thomas __________________________

Forming Possessives. Write the possessive form of each italicized word.

1. Tim enjoyed the dancers performance. ________________________________________

2. Mr. Robinson house is for sale. _____________________________________________

3. The investigator examination was thorough. ____________________________________

4. The group leader passed out leaflets. __________________________________________

5. The class studied the state history. ___________________________________________

6. Everyone liked Carol idea. _________________________________________________

7. The runners faces showed their fatigue. ______________________________________

8. A cat sat outside the mice hole. ____________________________________________

9. The train engineer checked the controls. _____________________________________

10. The company records have been destroyed. ___________________________________

13REINFORCEMENT EXERCISES – USING NOUNS

A. Find common and proper nouns. List the nouns in each of the following sentences. Be sure to capitalize each proper noun. Remember that proper nouns may contain more than one word.

1. A strong wind blew the lamppost to the ground.

2. A ferry takes passengers to nantucket.

3. Charlene brought sandwiches and chips.

4. We ate lunch by the fountain at the metropolitan museum of art.

5. On tuesday our class visited the lincoln memorial and the washington monument.

6. The hurricane tore through cuba and haiti.

7. After we toured lake michigan, our ship docked in milwaukee.

8. Mr. rodriguez identified the thief from a photograph.

9. Our pet rabbit, named bugs, surprised us with a litter of five babies.

10. The firefighters and police went on strike last august.

B. Recognize nouns used in sentences. Decide how each italicized noun is used in these sentences. Write the word and label it Subject, Direct Object, Indirect Object, or Predicate Noun.

1. My first attempt at water skiing was a joke.

2. Indians inhabited New Mexico thousands of years before the Europeans.

3. The difficult climb was a challenge to even the experiences campers.

4. The challenge of climbing Mount McKinley captured Tom’s imagination.

5. Did Erin give Elliot my message?

6. Which artist painted Starry Night?

7. The end of the movie was a surprise.

8. Jessica showed Kate the shortcut.

9. The president assigned each person on the committee a task.

10. The Pope gave his annual Christmas greeting from the Vatican.14

C. Form singular and plural nouns. Rewrite the following sentences, changing every singular noun to a plural noun and every plural noun to singular.

1. The woman carried the box and package onto the bus.

2. The athletes placed the trophies on the shelves of the display cases.

3. The child loved the ox, the moose, the sheep, and the fox in the petting zoo.

4. The spies and thieves dreaded the arrival of the hero.

5. The man repaired the pier at the beach.

6. The cowboy crossed the country to reach the rodeo.

7. Will the waitress serve the potato with our steak?

8. The clown smashed the old piano with the ax.

9. The chefs carefully placed the glazed strawberries on the pastries.

10. The echo bounced off the side of the mountain and resounded through the valley.

D. Form the possessives of nouns. Write the possessive form for each italicized noun.

1. Nicholas shirt doesn’t match his pants.2. Jenny family left for Cape Cod.3. Someone misplaced the painters ladder.4. Sarah carried Josh backpack after he twisted his ankle.5. The emcee asked for the contestant answer.6. James heroic act mad the headlines.7. The Student Council funds come from special projects.8. The Johnsons dog is a collie.9. We saw slides of Ms. Marsh trip to the Galapagos Islands.10. The children theater produced a lively musical.11. We heard the gulls cries as they whirled above us.12. Socrates questioned his students answers.13. Men clothing styles don’t change much.14. The newspapers printed the President speech.15. My dad boss house overlooks the lake.

15MIXED REVIEW – USING NOUNS.

A. Fill in the chart.

Singular Noun Plural Noun Singular Possessive

Plural Possessive

Example: hero heroes hero’s heroes’boxes

city’spianos’

bouquetfish’s

groupsfact

women’sfliesvalleys

instructor’sdeerlioness

tomatoestax’s

stereosoftware

anglesmasses

athleteworkmenthieves

fox’schildsea

B. Find the nouns in the following sentences. Then make two columns labeled Common Nouns and Proper Nouns. Write each of the nouns from the following sentences in the correct column. Capitalize proper nouns.

1. Dr. sally ride was the first woman from the united states to become an astronaut.2. Our family went to canada for christmas.3. The most popular program on sunday is 60 minutes.4. My favorite class is math, but mark prefers german.5. The massachusetts transit authority provides transportation in boston.6. Mayor marino promised that main street would be repaired next march.7. My cousin and my brother fished on lake erie.8. Mary always carries gum, change, keys, and a comb.9. The world series is a major event in baseball.

10. My parents subscribe to several magazines, including time and newsweek.

16Review: Using Nouns

Recognizing Nouns. Circle each noun in the following sentences.

1. Dingoes, the wild dogs of Australia, cannot bark.

2. Gertrude Ederle was the first woman to swim the English Channel.

3. Gandhi was admired for his courage and gentleness.

4. Mary has a chance to go to Washington.

5. West Virginia used to be called Kanawha.

Identifying Nouns. Write whether each italicized noun is used as a Subject, Direct Object, Indirect Object, or Predicate Noun.

6. Jeanette changed the oil. ______________________________________________

7. Paul sent his sister a postcard. __________________________________________

8. The decision was a mistake. ___________________________________________

9. The poet read a selection from his works. _________________________________

10. Leah is a senior at Cranbrook Academy. __________________________________

Forming Plurals. Write the plural form of each of the following nouns.

11. church __________________________ 16. hero __________________________

12. foot ____________________________ 17. trout __________________________

13. block __________________________ 18. shelf ___________________________

14. stereo ___________________________ 19. fortress _________________________

15. lady ____________________________ 20. wasp ___________________________

Forming Possessives. Write the possessive form of each italicized word.

21. The boys basketball team is practicing. _________________________________________

22. The mechanic tested the car brakes. ____________________________________________

23. Sarah attended the Women Conference. _________________________________________

24. Ron knows Mr. Valdez son. ___________________________________________________

25. The dancers costumes were silver. ______________________________________________