Noun

A Noun is the name of a person, place, or thing as, George, Bombay, horse, table, iron,
cleverness, goodness, beauty.
Note- In ordinary language the word thing denotes that which has no life, but here the word thing
means any object or abstract idea we can think about, whether it has a real existence or not.

Kinds of nouns
1.Concrete
 Proper Noun
 Common Noun
 Collective Noun
 Material Noun
2.Abstract.

Study the following sentences:

Akbar was a wise King
Rama is a clever boy
Bombay is a big city
Here Akbar is the name of a particular king, while the Noun king can be applied to all Kings.

Similarly, Rama is the name of a particular boy, while boy can be applied to all boys.
Bombay is the name of a particular city, while city can be applied to all cities.
So, Akbar, Rama, Bombay which refer to a particular person or place called Proper Nouns.
Definition- A Proper Noun is the name of a particular person or place.
[A proper noun is always written with a Capital Letter.]
King, boy, city which denote no one person or thing in particular, but are common to any and
every person or thing of the same kind, are called Common Nouns.

Definition- A Common Noun is a name which is common to any and every person or thing
of the same kind.

A Proper Noun may be used as a common Noun.

He is the Burke(= the greatest orator) of his age.
He is the Shakespeare(=the greatest dramatist) of India.

A Collective Noun denotes a number of persons or things grouped together as one complete
whole; as,
The crowd was very big.
The English army won the day.
The jury found him guilty.
A fleet of fifty ships left the harbour.
Other Collective Nouns are: Class, flock, herd, committee, family, nation, team, parliament,
mob, regiment, assembly.

A distinction is generally made between a collective Noun and a Noun of multitude.

A Collective Noun denotes one individual whole; and hence the verb is singular; as,
The committee consists of twelve members.
A Noun of multitude denotes the individuals of the group; and hence the verb is plural,
although the noun is singular.
The committee(=the members composing the committee are quarrelling among themselves.
A Noun of Material denotes the matter or substance of which things are made; as, gold, silver,
iron, glass, cotton, wool, clay, steel, stone.

Ornaments are made of silver and gold.

Rails are made of steel.
Bottles are made of glass.

An Abstract noun is the name of some quality, state or action considered(or imagined) to be
apart from the thing to which it belongs.

Quality-cleverness, goodness, kindness, wisdom.

State.-Poverty, youth, manhood, childhood, boyhood, death, sickness, slavery.
Action.-Laughter, theft, movement, flight, revenge.
Note- A concrete Noun denotes a thing which can be perceived by the senses. It can be seen,
touched, heard, smelt or tasted; and has also a separate existence. An abstract noun relates to
something which cannot actually be perceived by the senses, and which is considered apart from
the object to which it belongs. For example we know iron is hard, stone is hard, marble is hard.
They all possess the quality of hardness. We can think of this quality i.e. hardness apart from
iron, stone and marble are concrete Nouns.
Exercise:
Point out the Nouns in the following sentences and say whether they are Proper, common,
collective, material or Abstract:

1. A Blackboard is made of wood. 14. The jury were divided in their opinions.

2. Poverty is a curse. 15. London is the capital of England.

3. Sweet are the uses of adversity. 16. Calcutta is on the Hooghly.

4. He is the Newton of his age. 17. Prevention is better than cure.

5. Kalidasa is the Shakespeare of India. 18. Health is wealth.

6. A gang of robbers entered the city at night. 19. The crew was a fine one.

7. The army was defeated. 20. Parliament will meet next month.

8. Delhi is the capital of India. 21. I saw a flock of sheep in the field.

9. The Committee has approved of his 22. Patience and perseverance can overcome

appointment. mountains.

10. Gold is a precious metal. 23. Our school team won the match.

11. Engines are made of iron. 24. Our class consists of twenty boys.

12. Work is worship. 25. Cleanliness is next to godliness.

13. Gold and silver have I none.

Exercise:
Underline the Nouns in the following sentences and say whether they are Proper, common,
collective, material or Abstract:

1. A Blackboard is made of wood. 15. London is the capital of England.

2. Poverty is a curse. 16. Calcutta is on the Hooghly.

3. Sweet are the uses of adversity. 17. Prevention is better than cure.

4. He is the Newton of his age. 18. Health is wealth.

5. Kalidasa is the Shakespeare of India. 19. The crew was a fine one.

6. A gang of robbers entered the city at night. 20. Parliament will meet next month.

7. The army was defeated. 21. I saw a flock of sheep in the field.

8. Delhi is the capital of India. 22. Patience and perseverance can overcome

9. The Committee has approved of his mountains.

appointment. 23. Our school team won the match.

10. Gold is a precious metal. 24. Our class consists of twenty boys.

11. Engines are made of iron. 25. Cleanliness is next to godliness.

12. Work is worship.

13. Gold and silver have I none.

14. The jury were divided in their opinions.

 The NOUN Gender

There are four Genders in English

The names of male animals or persons are said to be of the Masculine Gender; as, man, boy, lion,
hero, king, father.
The names of the female animals or persons are said to be of the Feminine gender; as woman,
girl, lioness, heroine, queen, mother.

The name of things which indicate either the masculine or the feminine are said to be of the
common gender; as, mouse, SINGER, BIRDM CHILD, COUSIN, SERVANT, BABY,
FRIEND, PUPIL, PERSON, student, orphan, monarch, relation, teacher, deer, sheep, calf,
neighbour.
The name of things that are neither male nor female (i.e. things without life) are said to be of the
Neuter Gender; as, book, table, chair,tree,pen,stone.
[Neuter means neither,i.e.neither male nor female.]

Ways of Forming the Feminine of Noun

There are three ways of forming the Feminine of Noun
Masculine. Feminine. Hart roe
Bachelor maid / Spinster Horse Mare
Boar sow Husband wife
Boy girl King queen
Brother sisiter Lord Lady
Buck doe Man Women
Bull(or ox) cow Monk(or friar) nun
Bullock heifer Nephew niece
Cock hen Papa mamma
Colt filly Ram ewe
Dog bitch Sir Madam
Drake duck Son daughter
Earl countess Stage hind
Father mother Swain nymph
Gander goose Uncle Aunt
Gentleman lady Wizard witch

Collective Nouns even when they denote living beings, are considered to be the neuter gender;
as, the jury as given its verdict.
The committee as changed its opinion.
Exercise:

Rewrite the following sentences, changing the gender of the nouns and making other necessary
changes:
1. His mother took him to the Zoo where he had the look at the lions, tigers, stages, rams,
and peacocks.

2. The negro accompanied by his wife and daughters came to the kings space.

3. The poet, the priest, and the prophet are always inspired by a high ideal.

4. The count married a rich heiress, a lass of fifteen, who was a jewess by birth.

5. The duke called the hunter to his presence and asked him how he had caught the tiger.

6. The ways of the tempter, the enchanter, the wizard, and sorcerer are the same.

7. The prince declared the author had been his sole benefactor.

8. The abbot declared that the waiter was a traitor and murderer.

9. The mayor was the patron of art and learning.

10. This shepherd once acted as a host to the marquis.

11. Though a widower, he looks a bachelor.

12. The landlady accompanied by her maidservants went to the temple to pray to the goddess
for her husband’s speedy return.

13. The conductor led the king and his wife to the emperor.

14. When the queen saw her father she alighted from her horse and knelt before him.

15. The monk played the part of the hero.

Exercise:
Write the correct Gender of the following (1.Common 2.Famine 3.Masculine.):

Bachelor -
Bride -
Peacock -
Heir -
Cousin -
Hunter -
Child -
Friend -
Widow -
Landlord -

Exercise:
Write the correct Gender of the following (1.Common 2.Famine 3.Masculine.):

Bachelor -
Bride -
Peacock -
Heir -
Cousin -
Hunter -
Child -
Friend -
Widow -
Landlord -

Exercise:
Write the correct Gender of the following (1.Common 2.Famine 3.Masculine.):

Bachelor -
Bride -
Peacock -
Heir -
Cousin -
Hunter -
Child -
Friend -
Widow -
Landlord -
 Noun the Number

There are two numbers in English-(1) the Singular, and the (2)plural.
A noun that denotes one person or thing is said to be in the Singular Number; as,
Man, boy, girl, cow, knife, table, book, chair.
A Noun that denotes more than one person or thing is said to be in the Plural Number; as,
Men, boys, girls, cows, knives, tables, books, chairs.

The plural of Nouns is formed according to the following rules-

The plural of Noun is generally formed by adding -s to the singular; as,

Blow blows
Garden gardens
Hand hands
House houses
Map maps
Star stars
Stick sticks
Stone stones

Nouns ending in ch(soft), s, sh, or z, form the plural by adding -es to the singular; as,

Bench benchers
Box boxes
Brush brushes
Coach coaches
Dish dishes
Gas gases
Glass glasses
Loss losses
Tax taxes
Topaz topazes

Nouns ending in y, preceded by a consonant, form the plural by changing y into -ies; as,

Army armies
Baby babies
City cities
Duty duties
Fly flies
Lady ladies
Pony ponies
Story stories

But if the final y is preceded by a vowel (as in ay, ey, or oy), the plural is formed by adding -s to
the singular; as,

Chimney chimneys
Day days
Journey journeys
Key keys
pay pays
play plays
ray rays
storey storeys
toy toys
valley valleys

Note: Nouns ending in quy form the plural in -ies; as, soliloquy, soliloquies.

Nouns ending in o, preceded by a consonant, generally form the plural by adding -es to the
singular ; as,
Buffalo buffaloes
Cargo cargoes
Echo echoes
Hero heroes
Mango mangoes

A few make plurals as in old English, by adding -en or -ne to the singular and sometimes
altering
The vowel; as,
Ox, oxen;child, children; cow,kine(more commonly cows)

A Compound Noun generally forms its plural by assing -s to the principal word; as,
Footman footmen
Hanger-on hangers-on
Looker-on lookers-on
Man-of-war men-of-war
Stepson stepsons

There are compound Nouns which take a double Plural; as,

Knight-Templar knights-templars
Lord-justice lords-justice
Man-servant men-servants
Woman-servant women-servants

Note- We say mouthfuls, spoonfuls, handfuls, because they are regarded as one word.

Compound Nouns ending in man form their plurals by changing the vowel; as,
Kinsman, kinsmen; nobleman, noblemen;

But the plurals of Northman, Brahman, Muslaman, Turcoman are Northmans, Brahmans,
Muslamans, Turcomans.

Correct Usage

Some Nouns have the same form in the plural as in the singular; aas, deer, sheep, swine, grouse,
trout, salmon.
Several Nouns used in counting, when preceded by Numerals, are unaltered in the Plural; as,
score, dozen, hundred, thousand, million, brace, pair, couple.
o Twenty score men laid down their arms.
o This radio set cost me three hundred rupees.
o I bought two dozen mangoes.
Some Nouns are found only in the plural.
o Names of pairs of things which are usually inseparable; as,
Pincers, tongs, scissors, trousers, spectacles, [Spectacle is used in the singular in
the sense of a sight]
o Names of things not generally thought of singly; as,
Bowels, eatables, movables, valuables.
o Names of games; as, billiards, draughts.
o Names of diseases; as, measles, mumps.
o Some miscellaneous Nouns; as, thanks, wages, annals, tidings, proceeds(of sale),
premises(in the sense of houses, lands,etc.)
Some Nouns originally singular are now generally used in the plural; as,
Alms-She gave alms to the blind beggar, and for these he thanked her.
Eaves-The eaves are not yet finished.
Riches-Riches have wings.
The following Nouns are generally used in the singular;
Mathematics-Mathematics is a difficult subject.
News-This is too good to be true.
Innings-The first innings is not yet over
Physics-Physics is his favourite study.
Means is used either as singular or plural. But when it means ‘wealth’ it is always plural; as,
This is simply means to an end.
By these means he passed the examination.
His means are small.
Some collective Nouns, though singular in form, are always treated as plurals; as,
Cattle-These cattle belong to Mr. Smith.
People-Many people[persons] were in the streets.
Vermin-Vermin have destroyed the crops.
Poultry-These poultry are mine.
Gentry-The gentry were present there.
Note-When people is used in the sense of nation, the plural is people; as,
The English are a brave people. (singular)
Asia is inhabited by many peoples. (plural)
The following words are generally used only in the singular form;
Alphabet-He has learnt the alphabet.
Information-I shall give you the information you need.
Furniture-The whole furniture was spoilt bt rain.
Offspring-These four sons are my offspring.
Poetry-Milton wrote very good poetry(poems).
Scenery-The scenery of Kashmir is charming.
Exercise
Write out the following sentences, changing the Nouns in brackets into the Plural number;

1. The (negro), were not fond of (tomato); they preferred (potato).

2. The (buffalo) were stung by (mosquito).

3. The (hero) rode on their (pony).

4. They paid (tax) on the (cargo).

5. The (wolf) attacked the (calf) but were driven by a group of (dwarf)

6. The (cry) of the (wolf) made echoes among the (reef).

7. The (thief) hid themselves among the (bamboo)

8. The (volcano) throw out molten lava.

9. They played the (piano).

10. Most (child) as well as (man) and (woman), and even (baby), have bad teeth.

11. I saw a group of (mouse) chasing the farmers’ (wife) who cut off their (tail) and (nose)
and blinded their (eye) with their (knife).

12. Have you ever seen such a thing in you (life)?

Exercise:
Which of the two words given in brackets is correct?

1. The (Scenery / sceneries) of Kashmir can delight you.

2. The negroes have dirty (hair / hairs).

3. The news (is / are) good.

4. Do you like Milton’s (poetry / poetries?

5. Five (hundred / hundreds) men were present there.

6. I bought two (dozen / dozens) oranges.

7. His trousers (was / were) torn.

8. Her spectacles (is / are) not sharp.

9. My scissors (is / are) not sharp.

10. The cattle (is / are) grazing in the field.

11. Physics (is / are) an interesting subject.

12. I saw several (deer / deers) in the field.

Exercise:
Which of the two words given in brackets is correct?

1. The (Scenery / sceneries) of Kashmir can delight you.

2. The negroes have dirty (hair / hairs).

3. The news (is / are) good.

4. Do you like Milton’s (poetry / poetries?

5. Five (hundred / hundreds) men were present there.

6. I bought two (dozen / dozens) oranges.

7. His trousers (was / were) torn.

8. Her spectacles (is / are) not sharp.

9. My scissors (is / are) not sharp.

10. The cattle (is / are) grazing in the field.

11. Physics (is / are) an interesting subject.

12. I saw several (deer / deers) in the field.

Exercise:
Write out the following sentences choosing the correct form of the verbs given in the brackets:

1. The wages of sin (is / are) death.

2. Evil (was / were) the news we heard.

3. The tidings (is / are) false.

4. Mathematics (is / are) his favourite study.

5. Riches (has / have) wings.

6. Scissors (is / are) very useful.

7. Alms (was / were) given to the poor.

8. Thanks (is / are) due to him.

9. Some people (does / do) not know this.

10. Measles (is / are) dangerous.

11. The second innings (is / are) not yet over.

Exercise:
Write out the following sentences choosing the correct form of the verbs given in the brackets:

1. The wages of sin (is / are) death.

2. Evil (was / were) the news we heard.

3. The tidings (is / are) false.

4. Mathematics (is / are) his favourite study.

5. Riches (has / have) wings.

6. Scissors (is / are) very useful.

7. Alms (was / were) given to the poor.

8. Thanks (is / are) due to him.

9. Some people (does / do) not know this.

10. Measles (is / are) dangerous.

11. The second innings (is / are) not yet over.

 The Noun : The Case

Read the following sentences:

The king killed the lion.
He bought a silver watch.
The lion was killed by the king.
In sentence 1, the Noun king is the subject of the verb killed. In sentence 2, the pronoun he is the
subject of the verb bought. In sentence 3, the noun lion is the subject of the verb was killed. The
Nouns king and lion and the pronoun he which form the subject of a verb are said to be in the
Nominative case.
Definition- Any Noun (or pronoun) that is the subject of a verb is said to be in the Nominative
Case.

Not- We can always find the Nominative in a sentence by putting Who? Or What? Before the
verb. Who killed the lion? The king. Who bought a silver watch? He. What was killed by the
king? The lion.

Read the following sentences:

The policeman caught the thief
Afzal killed him.
The book is on the table.
I arrived before her.
In sentence 1, the Noun theif is the object of the verb caught. In sentence 2, the Pronoun him is
the object of the verb killed. In sentence 3, the noun table is the object of the preposition on. In
sentence 4, the pronoun her is the object of the preposition before. Thief and him which form the
object of a verb are said to be in the objective (or Accusative) case. Table and her which are
governed by a preposition are also said to be in the objective case.

Definition- Any Noun (or pronoun) that is the object of a verb or is governed b a
preposition is said to be in the objective (or accusative)case.

Note- To find the accusative case put whom? Or what? Before the verb and its subject. Whom
did the policeman catch? The thief. Whom did Afzal kill? Him.

Examine the following sentences;

This is Afzal’s book.
Rama’s pen is broken.
In sentence1, Afzal’s answers the questions ‘whose book?’ ‘who is the Possessor?’ and is said to
be in the Genitive (or Possessive) Case. Similarly, Rama’s is in the Possessive Case.

Formation of the Possessive Case

The Possessive case of a singular noun is formed by adding ‘s; as,
The girl’s pen; the horse’s tail; the king’s palace.
The possessive case of a plural noun ending in s is formed by adding the apostrophe only; as,
Boys’ books; birds’ nests; horses’ tails.
The possessive case of a plural noun not ending in s is formed by adding ‘s; as
Men’s faces; children’s books; mice’s tails.
The possessive case of singular nouns is formed by adding the apostrophe only where too many
hissing sounds come together; as,
Moses’ laws; for conscience’ sake; for righteousness’ sake; for justice’ sake.
When several nouns are taken together the possessive sign is used with the last one only; as,
Mr.Smith, the chemist’s shop.
The chairman of the committee’s report.
The government of India’s declaration.
My father-in-law’s house.
Huntley and Gardiner’s biscuits.
Cathedral, house, school, shop are sometimes omitted after a Noun in the Possessive Case;
as,
The prayer for the King’s life was held at St.Paul’s [cathedral].
I found him studying hard at his aunt’s [house].
He goes to St.Stephen’s [school].
I saw her at E. Plomer’s [shop].
Mark the distinction between:
(1) A picture of the King [=a picture presenting the likeness of the King].
(2) A picture of the King’s [=a picture of which the King is owner].
Use of the Possessive case
The Possessive Case is now used chiefly with Nouns denote living beings; as,
Mohan’s pen; the tiger’s claws; the bird’s nest.
So we must say---
The roof of the house [not, the house’s roof].
The door of the cottage [not, the cottage’s door].
The possessive case is also used with Noun denoting personified things; as,
Father’s favourite; Nature’s laws; Duty’s call; Sorrow’s tears.
The Possessive Case is also use with noun denoting time. Space, weight; as,
A day’s march; a month’s holiday; a hair’s breadth; a stone’s throw; a metre’s length; a
kilogram’s weight.
The Possessive is also used in a few familiar phrases; as,
Out of harm’s way; at his wit’s end; at arm’s length; as his fingers’ ends; to his heart’s
content; for mercy’s sake; the journey’s end; the boat’s crew.

The Vocative case (nominative of address)

Read the following sentences;
Listen to me, jack.
O Death, where is thy sting?
Where are you wandering, my pretty maid?
In these sentences, Jack, Death, maid are the names of the persons or things spoken to or
addressed. They are, therefore, said to be in the Vocative Case.

Definition- The vocative case (Nominative of Address) is the case of the person or thing
addressed.

The Dative Case

Look carefully at th following sentences:
He gave jack a pen.
He bought John a watch.
He told her a story.
To whom did he give a pen? To Jack.
For whom did he buy a watch? For John.
To Whom did he tell a story? Her.
The words Jack, John, her which are Indirect objects are said to be in the Dative Case.
Definition- A Noun or pronoun is in the Dative Case when it forms the Indirect Object of a verb.

Note- To find the Dative Case, ask the question ‘ To whom? Or ‘for whom?’
Exercise : Correct the following sentences:

1. Call at Smith’s the chemist.

2. The poem is Milton, one of the epic poets of England’s

3. I have been reading an essay of Macaulay, the statesman, lawyer, and historian’s.

4. The street’s width is insufficient.

5. The table’s legs are broken.

6. The house’s roof fell down.

7. The house’s doors and windows were locked.

8. The firm you so much admire is Jack’s, John’s and William’s.

9. It was his mother’s sister’s son’s house.

10. Prelude is a poem of Wordsworth.

Exercise: Correct the following sentences:

1. Call at Smith’s the chemist.

2. The poem is Milton, one of the epic poets of England’s

3. I have been reading an essay of Macaulay, the statesman, lawyer, and historian’s.

4. The street’s width is insufficient.

5. The table’s legs are broken.

6. The house’s roof fell down.

7. The house’s doors and windows were locked.

8. The firm you so much admire is Jack’s, John’s and William’s.

9. It was his mother’s sister’s son’s house.

10. Prelude is a poem of Wordsworth.