We have already looked at nouns and verbs. At its simplest, nouns denote things; the term is derived from the Latin nomen, meaning 'name' in English. In French, nom means both 'noun' and 'name'. However, there are different classes of nouns. These are common nouns, proper nouns and abstract nouns. Here, we deal with common nouns.
As the name suggests, common nouns denote groups of things and so a common noun denotes one group, e.g. birds or plants. They are the most often encountered form of noun. These are not capitalised unless they are the first word of a sentence.
Exercise 1
In the following unfinished phrases, the words in italics are common nouns. Complete each phrase by adding another common noun that is suitable. You may find a dictionary helpful.
Example: The hilt of a _____
Answer: The hilt of a sword.
a. The spokes of a...
b. The keel of a...
c. The pendulum of a...
d. The rungs of a...
e. The fuselage of an...
f. The kernel of a...
g. The jamb of a...
h. The radius of a...
I. The pistil of a...
j. The estuary of a...
Exercise 2
In the following statements the words in italics are common nouns. Complete each statement by adding another common noun (one word only) that is suitable.
Example: Polo is a...
Answer: Polo is a game.
a. A cello is an...
b. A lizard is a...
c. An antelope is an...
d. Spinach is a...
e. An aster is a...
f. A quail is a...
g. Granite is a...
h. A pomegranate is a...
I. A doublet is a...
j. Badminton is a...
Exercise 3
A common type of definition in the dictionary is that in which we are told:
1. the class or group to which a thing belongs;
2. the use to which it is put.
Here is the pattern:
A/An Class or group for Use or purpose
For example, we can define a hammer as
A tool for driving in nails.
Write short definitions of the following words. Underline every noun.
a. dynamo
b. bucket
c. pincers
d. camera
e. putty
f. wardrobe
g. catapult
h. telegraph
Exercise 4
In each of the following sentences the word in italics is a common noun. Substitute another common noun that means the same (or nearly the same) thing.
Example: The soap has a pleasant perfume.
Answer: The soap has a pleasant smell.
a. It was only a mischievous prank.
b. They found that the sepulchre was empty.
c. This was forbidden by an ancient statute.
d. His respiration became weaker.
e. Many thermometers contain quicksilver.
f. People said that he was a sorcerer.
g. The barrel is full of molasses.
h. He has fractured his femur.
Exercise 5
All the words in the two lists below are common noun. Each person referred to in List A is often associated with one of the persons in List B. Pair them off like this:
employer and workman
List A: employer, doctor, king, host, nobleman, governess, mayor, editor, lawyer.
List B: patient, client, workman, pupil, retainer, journalist, subject, guest, alderman.
Exercise 6 - Same word, different meaning
Use each of these common nouns twice, in two sentences, to show that it can mean two quite different things. Be sure that you use the words as nouns - that is, as the names of things.
Example: sash.
Suggested Answer: (1) She wore a white sash around her waist. (2) The sash of the kitchen window is jammed.
sole
smack
plane
tip
scales
mail
file
race
riddle
rent
Exercise 7 - What is he called?
A person who travels is called a traveller, and one who assists is an assistant. Using your dictionary to make sure of the correct spelling, say what the following persons are called:
A person who:
a. ...begs for food.
b. ...competes against others.
c. ...applies for something.
d. ...represents a firm.
e. ...studies for an examination.
f. ...corresponds with you by post.
g. ...conspires to commit a crime.
h. ...brags about his skill.
I. ...deputises for his master.
j. ...criticises a theatrical play.
k. ...saves his nation from disaster.
l. ...depends on others for a living.
Make a list of any twenty of the common nouns contained in this passage from The Black Arrow.
Upon the very margin of the ditch, not thirty feet from where they crouched, an iron cauldron bubbled and steamed above a glowing fire; and close by, in an attitude of listening, as though he had caught some sound of their movements among the ruins, a tall, red-faced, battered-looking man stood poised, an iron spoon in his right hand, a horn and a formidable dagger at his belt. Plainly this was the singer; plainly he had been stirring the cauldron, when some incautious step among the lumber had fallen upon his ear. Near by another man lay slumbering, rolled in a brown cloak, with a butterfly hovering above his face.
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