Concrete and Abstract Nouns

Concrete Nouns

A concrete noun names a person, place, or thing. It may be either common or proper.

CONCRETE COMMON

car
doctor
city
piano
teacher
town
ship
river
mayor
ocean

CONCRETE PROPER

Ford
Dr. Cho
Savannah
Steinway
Mr. Sanchez
Temple City
Queen Mary
Amazon River
Mayor Quigley
Atlantic Ocean

Abstract Nouns

An abstract noun names something that cannot be seen or touched. It names something that you can only think about. An abstract noun can be common or proper as well.

ABSTRACT COMMON NOUNS

religion
holiday
nationality
language
day
philosophy
month

ABSTRACT PROPER NOUNS

Judaism
Thanksgiving Day
Irish
Mandarin
Monday
Platonism
August

Examples 1

We practice identifying concrete and abstract nouns. Tell whether each noun below is concrete or abstract.

1. Hinduism
3. Persian Gulf
5. book
7. faith
9. chair

2. hope
4. truth
6. optimism
8. Pacific Ocean
10. patriotism

Solutions

  1. abstract (Hinduism is a religion.)
  2. abstract (We can only think about hope.)
  3. concrete
  4. abstract
  5. concrete
  6. abstract
  7. abstract (We can only think about faith.)
  8. concrete
  9. concrete
  10. abstract

Examples 2

We practice identifying concrete and abstract nouns. For sentences 1-6, write each noun and label it C for concrete or A for abstract.

  1. The doctrines of Islam call for justice and peace among all people of the world.
  2. With courage and determination, Olaf climbed Mount Everest.
  3. Does Onping speak Cantonese as well as English?
  4. Priests of Catholicism practice celibacy, availability, and godliness.
  5. With courage and determination, supporters of the Constitution brought the document before the states.
  6. Did Gouverneur Morris study Latin as well as English?

Solutions

  1. doctrines–A; Islam–A; justice–A; peace–A; people–C; world–C
  2. courage–A; determination–A; Olaf–C; Mount Everest–C
  3. Onping–C; Cantonese–A; English–A
  4. Priests–C; Catholicism–A; celibacy–A; availability–A; godliness–A
  5. courage–A; determination–A; Constitution–C; document–C; states–C
  6. Gouverneur Morris–C; Latin–A; English–A

Examples 3

Write each abstract noun from the following sentences:

  1. Grandpa was a man of courage and perseverance.
  2. Do you believe that communism will solve our problems?
  3. Without a doubt, my brother is an optimist.
  4. That actor entertains futile hopes for fame.
  5. Do not forsake honesty.

Solutions

  1. courage, perseverance
  2. communism, problems
  3. doubt, optimist
  4. hopes, fame
  5. honesty

Examples 4

Write each concrete noun from the following sentences:

  1. The thief bowed her head with shame.
  2. The judge tapped the gavel three times.
  3. Aunt Sue has never spent time in prison.
  4. Mostly my aunt fears what her children will think.
  5. The money has not improved her life.

Solutions

  1. thief, head
  2. judge, gavel
  3. Aunt Sue, prison
  4. aunt, children
  5. money