Nouns

Objective I-1

IDENTIFY CORRECT NOUN FORMS

(Singular and Plural).

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NounA noun is a word that names something: a

person, a place, a thing, or an idea.

Examples:

governor

Alaska

hospital

Southeast Alabama Medical Center

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There are five classes of nouns.

• Proper

• Common

• Concrete

• Abstract

• Collective

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Proper NounsA proper noun names a particular person,

place, thing, or idea.

Examples:

• Dr. Nichols

• Northview High School

• Dothan High School

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Common NounsA common noun does not name a particular person, place, thing, or idea. Commonnouns are not capitalized.Examples:• cheerleader• student• park

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Concrete NounsA concrete noun names a thing that is tangible (can be seen, touched, heard,smelled, or tasted). Concrete nouns areeither proper or common.Examples:• child• music• Grand Canyon

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Abstract NounsAn abstract noun names an idea, a condition, or a feeling—in other words,something that cannot be touched, smelled,tasted, seen or heard.Examples:• freedom• greed• progress

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Collective Nouns

A collective noun names a group or a unit.

Examples:

• United States

• team

• crowd

• community

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Forms of Nouns

Nouns are grouped according to their

number, gender, and case.

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Number of NounNumber indicates whether the noun is

singular or plural.• A singular noun refers to ONE person, place, thing,

or idea.

actor stadium Canadian bully person• A plural noun refers to MORE THAN ONE person,

place thing, or idea.

actors stadiums Canadians bulliespeople

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Gender of A NounGender indicates whether a noun ismasculine, feminine, neuter, or indefinite.• Masculine: uncle, brother, men, bull, rooster,

stallion• Feminine: aunt, sister, women, cow, hen, filly• Neuter (without gender): tree, cobweb, garage,

closet• Indefinite (masculine or feminine): president,

plumber, doctor, parent

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Case of a NounCase tells how nouns are related to other

words used with them. There are three

cases: nominative, possessive, and

objective.

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Now Let’s Practice!

Directions: There are sentences on the next few slides. For each underlined noun, write its class (there will be at least two classes for each) and number.

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Checks and balances in the United States

government allow Congress to override a

presidential veto.

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Checks and balances in the United States

government allow Congress to override a

presidential veto.

Answer

Class: proper, abstract, collective

Number: singular

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During the American Revolution, George Washington was commander of the Continental army.

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During the American Revolution, George Washington was commander of the Continental army.

Answer

Class: proper, concrete

Number: singular

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The tax laws imposed on the colonists by the British government were viewed as unfair.

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The tax laws imposed on the colonists by the British government were viewed as unfair.

Answer

Class: common, concrete

Number: plural

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Plural Nouns

• A plural noun names more than one person, place, thing, or idea.

• There are different ways to form the plurals of nouns depending on the noun.

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Most NounsForm the plurals of most nouns by adding s

to the singular.

cheerleader—cheerleaders

wheel—wheels

crate--crates

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Nouns Ending in sh, ch, x, s, and z

Form the plurals of nouns ending in sh, ch,

x, s, and z, by adding es to the singular.

lunch—lunches dish—dishes

mess—messes fox--foxes

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Nouns Ending in YThe plurals of common nouns that end in y—preceded by aconsonant—are formed by changing the y to i and addinges.

fly—flies jalopy—jalopies

Form the plural of nouns that end in y—preceded by avowel—by adding only an s.

donkey—donkeys monkey—monkeys

Note: Form the plurals of all proper nouns ending in y by adding s.

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Nouns Ending in O

The plurals of nouns ending in o—preceded

by a vowel—are formed by adding an s.

radio—radios rodeo—rodeos

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Nouns Ending in O

The plurals of most nouns ending in o—

preceded by a consonant—are formed by

adding es.echo—echoes hero—heroes tomato--tomatoes

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Nouns Ending in ful

Form the plurals of nouns that end in ful by

adding an s at the end of the word.

three pailfuls four mouthfuls

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Compound NounsForm the plurals of most compound nouns

by adding s or es to the important word in

the compound.

brothers-in-law maids of honor

secretaries of state

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Now Let’s Practice!

Directions: Write the correct plural of the underlined word in each sentence.

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The keyes for the table saw are in

the industrial arts office.

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The keyes for the table saw are in

the industrial arts office.

Answer

keys

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Karson poured five cansful of water into the

kettle and carefully stirred the soup.

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Karson poured five cansful of water into the

kettle and carefully stirred the soup.

Answer

canfuls

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We followed our guide across three

mountain pass’s to get to Blaine’s Ridge.

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We followed our guide across three

mountain pass’s to get to Blaine’s Ridge.

Answer

passes

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The landscaping staff will plant lilac bushs

along the walk to the main entrance.

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The landscaping staff will plant lilac bushs

along the walk to the main entrance.

Answer

bushes

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The Turners looked at five different patioes

before picking out a design they liked.

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The Turners looked at five different patioes

before picking out a design they liked.

Answers

patios

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Work With A Partner

Directions:

Write a sentence for the plural of each of the

following words.

ray tress glassfulterritory

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Work With A Partner

Directions:

Write a sentence for the plural of each of the

following words.

rays tresses glassfulsterritories

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Nouns Ending in f or feForm the plurals of nouns that end in f or fe in one

of two ways: if the final f sound is still heard in the

plural form of the word, simply add s; but if the final

f sound becomes a v sound, change the f to ve

and add s.

Plural ends with f sound: roof—roofs: chief—chiefs

Plural ends with v sound: wife—wives; loaf--loaves

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Irregular SpellingA number of words from a plural by taking

on an irregular spelling.crisis—crises child—children radius—radii

criterion—criteria goose—geese die—dice

Some nouns remain unchanged when used

as plurals.deer moose sheep salmon aircraft series

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Collective NounsA collective noun may be singular or plural depending

upon how it’s used. A collective noun is singular

when it refers to a group considered as one unit; it is

plural when it refers to the individuals in the group.

The class was on its best behavior. (group as a unit)

The class are preparing for their final exams.

(individuals in the group.)

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Now Let’s Practice!

Directions: Write the plural form of the word in parentheses.

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When David opened the musty trunk, he

was startled to see four (mouse) staring

back at him.

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When David opened the musty trunk, he

was startled to see four mice staring

back at him.

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Isle Royal an island in Lake Superior,

supports a population of about 1,000

(moose).

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Isle Royal an island in Lake Superior,

supports a population of about 1,000

moose.

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The men and their (wife) were driven to the

game in a limousine.

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The men and their wives were driven to the

game in a limousine.

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How would a question about nouns look on the AHSGE?

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1. Choose the sentence that is written correctly.

A. A chorus of donkeys greeted the

dawn.

B. The Smith’s bought a new house last week.

C. The author added four appendix to her

book.

D. Three young foxen were romping in the

snow.

Julie Mullins Turner

1. Choose the sentence that is written correctly.

A. A chorus of donkeys greeted the

dawn.

B. The Smith’s bought a new house last week.

C. The author added four appendix to her

book.

D. Three young foxen were romping in the

snow.

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2. Choose the sentence that contains an error.

A. Can anyone name all of the gulfs on

the map?

B. Bushs alone the roadside were turning

green.

C. The waves crashed onto the beach with a

roar.

D. There were many kinds of potatoes in the

supermarket.

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2. Choose the sentence that contains an error.

A. Can anyone name all of the gulfs on

the map?

B. Bushs alone the roadside were turning

green.

C. The waves crashed onto the beach with a

roar.

D. There were many kinds of potatoes in the

supermarket.

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CAUTION

What was the difference between questions

one and two?

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The first question asked you to choose the

sentence that was written correctly. The

second question asked you to choose the

sentence that contained an error (sentence

written incorrectly).

READ EACH QUESTION CAREFULLY!!