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What are abstract nouns? Differentiating abstract nouns and concrete nouns
Abstract nouns can be a confusing topic in English grammar for many learners. So, what are abstract nouns? How are they different from concrete nouns? In today's article, PREP will help you grasp the definition, understand how to recognize, classify, and compare the differences between abstract nouns and concrete nouns. Let's dive in!
I. What are abstract nouns?
What are abstract nouns? Abstract nouns refer to something that cannot be touched, held, or directly seen. They can be emotions, feelings, thoughts, personalities, time, and things that cannot be quantified through senses or interacted with. For example:
- This is my personal opinion. ➞ “opinion” is an abstract noun.
- Giving big love to my family. ➞ “love” is an abstract noun.
II. How to recognize and classify abstract nouns
PREP will share some ways to recognize and common types of abstract nouns in English. Take a look!
1. How to recognize abstract nouns in English
Let's quickly learn how to recognize abstract nouns through the suffixes of each English vocabulary with PREP!
Suffixes in abstract nouns | Example |
-tion |
|
-sion |
|
-ment |
|
- this |
|
-ness |
|
-ship |
|
-dom |
|
-ism |
|
-hood |
|
-acy |
|
-ance |
|
-age |
|
2. Classification of abstract nouns
Classification of abstract nouns | Example |
Nouns denoting ideas |
|
Nouns denoting emotions |
|
Nouns denoting personality traits |
|
Nouns denoting philosophical concepts |
|
III. How to use abstract nouns in sentences
The usage of abstract nouns in sentences is similar to other nouns, where they can function as subjects and objects in sentences. Abstract nouns can be divided into two types:
- Uncountable abstract nouns: If an abstract noun has a general or abstract meaning, representing all objects, it is considered an uncountable noun. For example: Time flies when you're having fun.
- Countable abstract nouns:
- If an abstract noun refers to a specific event or occurrence, it follows the rules of countable nouns, using articles (a, an, the) and quantifying words like few and many. If the specific abstract noun refers to more than one event, you can convert it into plural form following regular rules for nouns.
- For example: The time I spend with you lasts forever.
IV. Differentiating abstract nouns and concrete nouns in english
How are abstract nouns and concrete nouns different? Let's explore with PREP below!
Abstract nouns | Concrete nouns | |
Definition | Abstract nouns are things that you cannot see, hear, taste, smell, or touch. | Concrete nouns are things that you can see, hear, taste, smell, or touch. |
Example | Our children have brought us so much happiness. ➞ “happiness” is an abstract noun. | A new smartphone makes me happy. ➞ “smartphone” is a concrete noun. |
V. Exercise on abstract nouns
To have a better understanding of abstract nouns in English and the differences between abstract nouns and concrete nouns, please complete the exercise below!
Exercise: Classify the given words as either abstract nouns or concrete nouns:
Honor, Trust, Key, Table, Pain, Television, Pleasure, Love, Patience, Motorbike, Industrialism, Causality, Building, Flower, Relativity, Computer | |
Abstract nouns | Concrete nouns |
Answer:
Abstract nouns | Concrete nouns |
Honor Trust Pain Pleasure Love Hatred Patience Industrialism Causality Relativity | Key Table Television Motorbike Building Flower Computer |
PREP hopes that through this article, you have gained an understanding of the definition, recognition cues, classification of abstract nouns, and the differences between abstract nouns and concrete nouns. Keep following PREP to stay updated with more useful English knowledge!
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