Proper Nouns
Proper Nouns
A Proper Noun NAMES a person, place, or thing.
What’s the difference between a Common Noun
and a Proper Noun?
I’m glad you asked!
The key word is NAMES, a Proper Noun NAMES the Common Noun.
If I say The girl went to the store I can mean any girl. But if I say Kayley went to the store then we know exactly which girl
went to the store.
The Common Noun—girl, can mean anyoneThe Proper Noun—Kayley, names the girl
boy and girl are common nouns
The names of the boys and girls are Proper Nouns and should be
capitalizedKayley
PrincesaMichaela
NicoleEllie
MakenzieUgne
AudreeMadisonJessicaMarinaSerena
KunheeKiernan
JohnSkylerKerolosTylerIan
DavidPhillipKona
teacher and principal are Common Nouns
The names of the teachers and principals are Proper Nouns and
should be capitalizedMrs. Lesh
Miss. McNuttMrs. ParentMrs. Sharp
Mrs. StewartMrs. Zollman
Mrs. TurnerMrs. Fagen
day and month are Common Nouns
The NAMES of the days and months are Proper Nouns and
should be capitalizedSundayMondayTuesday
WednesdayThursdayFriday
Saturday
JanuaryFebruary
MarchAprilMayJuneJuly
AugustSeptember
OctoberNovember December
What about holidays? Are they Proper Nouns?
Common Noun
Halloween, Thanksgiving, Hanukah, Christmas, New Years Eve, Valentine’s Day—they are
all Proper Nouns.
YES!
city and state are Common Nouns
The NAMES of the cities and states are Proper Nouns and
should be capitalized
IndianaNew YorkFloridaOhio
IllinoisCalifornia
Texas
IndianapolisCarmel
WestfieldChicago
San DiegoDetroitOrlandoBoston
What are some other examples of Common Nouns?
Can you make them each a Proper Noun?
Common Noun
Justin BieberSinger
Proper Noun
The NAME of a singer
Common Noun
Finding NemoMovie
Proper Noun
The NAME of a movie
Common Noun
Harry PotterBook
Proper Noun
The NAME of a book
Common Noun
Never Say NeverSong
Proper Noun
The NAME of a song
Let’s Practice!
The girl is very smart.
girl is a Common Noun. If we wanted to know which girl was smart we would put a girls NAME in place
of girl.
_____ is very smart.
Nicole is very smart.
Who is very smart?
Nicole is a Proper Noun and names the girl. We capitalize
her name.
The boy went to see the doctor.
The boy went to see the doctor.
boy is a Common Noun. If we put Phillip’s name in for boy, we have
named the boy.
Phillip went to see the doctor.
Who went to see the doctor?
We now know that Phillip is the boy who went to see the doctor. Phillip NAMES the
boy. We capitalize his name.
What about people’s titles?
Now what is a title?
Dr.Mrs. Miss.Mr.Ms.
AuntUncle
Those are all titles. They help us identify a person
and are also Proper Nouns.
Let’s Practice!
When I get a shot dr. harris always give me a sucker.
When I get a shot dr. harris always give me a sucker.
What’s wrong with this sentence?
When I get a shot dr. harris always give me a sucker.
Dr. Harris is a title and should be capitalized because he names a
doctor.
When I get a shot Dr. Harris always give me a sucker.
My aunt amy gives the best presents.
What’s wrong with this
sentence?
My aunt amy gives the best presents.
Who is Amy?
She is your Aunt—Aunt is her title and you capitalize all titles!
My Aunt Amy gives the best presents.
Who is Amy?
She is your Aunt—Aunt is her title and you capitalize all titles!