Proper Noun vs. Common Noun: Know the Difference

By Shumaila Saeed || Published on February 22, 2024

Proper nouns name specific, unique entities (e.g., 'Elizabeth', 'New York'), while common nouns refer to general items or classes of things (e.g., 'woman', 'city').

Proper Noun vs. Common Noun

Key Differences

Proper nouns are specific names given to individual entities, making them unique and often capitalized, like 'Amazon River' or 'Shakespeare'. Common nouns, on the other hand, are general names for a class or group of entities, such as 'river' or 'writer', and are usually not capitalized unless they start a sentence.

Feb 22, 2024

A proper noun identifies a one-of-a-kind item, like 'Mount Everest', which refers to a specific mountain. In contrast, a common noun like 'mountain' can refer to any mountain in general, not a specific one.

Feb 22, 2024

In grammar, proper nouns are always capitalized because they denote specific, identifiable entities, like 'London' or 'Julia'. Common nouns are not typically capitalized (unless starting a sentence) as they represent general items, like 'city' or 'girl'.

Feb 22, 2024

Proper nouns cannot usually be pluralized, as in 'There are many New Yorks', which is incorrect. Common nouns can be plural, like 'dogs', 'cities', or 'cars', to refer to more than one of a general category.

Feb 22, 2024

Proper nouns do not take a definite or indefinite article in most cases ('the' or 'a'), as in 'I visited Eiffel Tower'. Common nouns usually require an article or quantifier, like 'a dog', 'the city', or 'some water'.

Feb 22, 2024

ADVERTISEMENT

Comparison Chart

Specificity

Names specific, unique entities.

Refers to general classes of items.

Feb 22, 2024

Capitalization

Always capitalized.

Not capitalized unless at sentence start.

Feb 22, 2024

Example Usage

'Paris', 'Atlantic Ocean'.

'city', 'ocean'.

Feb 22, 2024

Pluralization

Generally not pluralized.

Can be pluralized.

Feb 22, 2024

Use with Articles

Usually without articles.

Typically with articles.

Feb 22, 2024

ADVERTISEMENT

Proper Noun and Common Noun Definitions

Proper Noun

Proper Noun refers to unique entities and is always capitalized.

We visited London last summer.

Jan 24, 2024

Common Noun

Common Noun can be singular or plural and can be generic.

There are many cars on the road.

Jan 24, 2024

Proper Noun

A Proper Noun identifies individual names of people, cities, or landmarks.

The book was written by Hemingway.

Jan 24, 2024

Common Noun

A Common Noun is a general name for a person, place, or thing.

The cat sat on the mat.

Jan 24, 2024

Proper Noun

Proper Noun is used for names of days, months, organizations, and titles.

I have an appointment on Monday.

Jan 24, 2024

ADVERTISEMENT

Common Noun

A Common Noun is typically not capitalized unless it starts a sentence.

Birds fly south for the winter.

Jan 24, 2024

Proper Noun

A Proper Noun signifies a one-of-a-kind name not shared by common items.

The Titanic sank in 1912.

Jan 24, 2024

Common Noun

Common Noun denotes a general class or category, not specific.

She loves reading books.

Jan 24, 2024

Proper Noun

A Proper Noun is a specific name for a particular person, place, or thing.

I met Sarah at the park.

Jan 24, 2024

Common Noun

A Common Noun represents general items, not unique names.

We walked through a forest.

Jan 24, 2024

Repeatedly Asked Queries

Can Common Nouns be capitalized?

Only if they start a sentence or are part of a title.

Feb 22, 2024

What is a Proper Noun?

A name given to a specific individual, place, or organization.

Feb 22, 2024

Give an example of a Proper Noun.

"Amazon River" is a Proper Noun.

Feb 22, 2024

What is a Common Noun?

A general name for a type or class of objects or people.

Feb 22, 2024

Can Proper Nouns be pluralized?

Generally, no, because they refer to specific entities.

Feb 22, 2024

Do Proper Nouns use articles?

Usually not, as they are specific names.

Feb 22, 2024

Is 'school' a Common Noun?

Yes, unless it's part of a specific name like 'Lincoln High School'.

Feb 22, 2024

Give an example of a Common Noun.

"river" is a Common Noun.

Feb 22, 2024

Are objects like 'chair' Common Nouns?

Yes, because they denote a class of items.

Feb 22, 2024

Are Proper Nouns always capitalized?

Yes, Proper Nouns are always capitalized.

Feb 22, 2024

Do Common Nouns require articles?

Yes, like "a car" or "the city".

Feb 22, 2024

Why are Proper Nouns capitalized?

To indicate their uniqueness and specific identity.

Feb 22, 2024

Can Proper Nouns be used without context?

They usually identify specific entities without needing context.

Feb 22, 2024

Can Common Nouns be pluralized?

Yes, like "dogs" or "cars".

Feb 22, 2024

Is 'Tuesday' a Proper Noun?

Yes, as it's the specific name of a day.

Feb 22, 2024

Is 'mountain' a Common Noun?

Yes, it's a general term for any mountain.

Feb 22, 2024

Are product names Proper Nouns?

Yes, like "iPhone" or "Coca-Cola".

Feb 22, 2024

Do Common Nouns represent specific things?

No, they represent general categories or types.

Feb 22, 2024

Are countries Proper Nouns?

Yes, like "France" or "Brazil".

Feb 22, 2024

Can a Proper Noun become a Common Noun?

Rarely, usually in cases of genericization.

Feb 22, 2024

Share this page

Link for your blog / website

HTML

Link to share via messenger

PPPoE vs. PPPoA

Proper Noun vs. Common Noun

Amoxicillin vs. Penicillin

Proper Noun vs. Common Noun

About Author

Written by

Shumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.

Trending Comparisons

Hydroscopic vs. Hygroscopic

Hydroscopic vs. Hygroscopic

February 14, 2024

Hydroscopic is a common misnomer, often incorrectly used in place of hygroscopic. Hygroscopic refers to substances that absorb moisture from the air.

Stuck vs. Stock

Stuck vs. Stock

June 18, 2024

"Stuck" refers to being unable to move or progress, while "stock" primarily denotes inventory or shares in a company, highlighting distinct usage contexts.

Polo Ralph Lauren vs. US Polo Assn

Polo Ralph Lauren vs. US Polo Assn

January 21, 2024

Polo Ralph Lauren is a premium fashion brand known for luxury clothing, while US Polo Assn is the official brand of the United States Polo Association, focused on affordable casual wear.

Pulley vs. Sheave

Pulley vs. Sheave

April 4, 2024

A pulley is a wheel on an axle designed to support movement and change of direction of a taut cable, while a sheave is the wheel part of a pulley system that specifically interacts with the cable.

Pycharm Community vs. Pycharm Pro

Pycharm Community vs. Pycharm Pro

February 4, 2024

PyCharm Community is a free, open-source IDE for Python development, while PyCharm Pro is a paid version with additional advanced features like web development support and database tools.

Catholic Bible vs. NIV Bible

Catholic Bible vs. NIV Bible

February 11, 2024

The Catholic Bible includes additional books in the Old Testament not found in the NIV Bible; the NIV is a modern English translation.

Natural Rubber vs. Synthetic Rubber

Natural Rubber vs. Synthetic Rubber

March 8, 2024

Natural rubber, derived from the latex of rubber trees, offers elasticity and resistance to abrasion, while synthetic rubber, produced from petroleum byproducts, provides enhanced chemical and temperature resistance.

Imax 2D vs. 2D

February 14, 2024

Imax 2D offers an immersive, large-scale cinematic experience with enhanced sound and image quality, whereas standard 2D provides a traditional flat-screen viewing without these enhancements.

Single User Operating System vs. Multi User Operating System

Single User Operating System vs. Multi User Operating System

January 24, 2024

A Single User Operating System supports one user at a time, whereas a Multi User Operating System allows multiple users to operate simultaneously.

8085 Microprocessor vs. 8086 Microprocessor

8085 Microprocessor vs. 8086 Microprocessor

February 1, 2024

The 8085 is an 8-bit microprocessor with a 16-bit address bus, while the 8086 is a 16-bit microprocessor with a 20-bit address bus, marking a significant advancement in processing capabilities.

Inox vs. Stainless Steel

Inox vs. Stainless Steel

January 10, 2024

Inox is a synonym for stainless steel, used mainly in Europe, while stainless steel is a corrosion-resistant alloy containing chromium.

Broadsheet vs. Tabloid

Broadsheet vs. Tabloid

November 2, 2024

Broadsheet is a large-format newspaper focusing on serious content; Tabloid is a smaller, sensational news-focused paper.

Cat6 vs. Cat6A

December 7, 2024

Cat6 cables support speeds up to 1Gbps over 100 meters, whereas Cat6A extends to 10Gbps over the same distance, offering enhanced performance and reliability.

Xmas vs. Christmas

Xmas vs. Christmas

February 27, 2024

Xmas is an abbreviation of Christmas, often used for convenience, while Christmas refers to the traditional Christian holiday celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ.

.380 vs. .38 Special

.380 vs. .38 Special

April 20, 2024

The .380 is a short-range pistol cartridge with less recoil, while the .38 Special is a longer, more powerful revolver cartridge suitable for diverse uses.

Coke vs. Pepsi

January 12, 2024

Coke and Pepsi are iconic cola beverages with distinct flavors; Coke has a sharper, vanilla-tinged taste, while Pepsi is sweeter with a citrusy flavor.

Positivism vs. Post-Positivism

Positivism vs. Post-Positivism

May 26, 2024

Positivism emphasizes observable, empirical evidence and the scientific method, while post-positivism recognizes the limitations of pure objectivity and incorporates subjective perspectives.

Roman Catholic vs. Irish Catholic

Roman Catholic vs. Irish Catholic

February 4, 2024

Roman Catholic refers to the global Christian church led by the Pope in Rome, while Irish Catholic denotes Roman Catholics in Ireland, often with unique cultural and historical aspects.

NM3 vs. M3

April 19, 2024

NM3 measures gas volume under Normal conditions (0°C and 1.01325 bar), while M3 measures volume under the conditions at which it is measured, without standard adjustment.

Candescent vs. Incandescent

Candescent vs. Incandescent

September 22, 2024

Candescent refers to glowing with heat, while incandescent involves light produced by heat. Both indicate forms of luminescence, yet differ in context and use.

Assess vs. Asses

Assess vs. Asses

April 13, 2024

"Assess" means to evaluate or estimate the nature, ability, or quality of something. "Asses" is the plural of "ass," referring to multiple donkeys or used pejoratively for foolish people.

Shriners vs. Masons

Shriners vs. Masons

February 29, 2024

Shriners are a subgroup within Freemasonry known for charitable work, especially children's hospitals; Masons are members of the larger, older fraternity of Freemasonry with broader goals and activities.

TPU vs. PU

April 26, 2024

TPU is a type of thermoplastic elastomer with high elasticity and durability, while PU, or polyurethane, is versatile with varying hardness and used in multiple applications.

Megabyte vs. Gigabyte

Megabyte vs. Gigabyte

February 8, 2024

A Megabyte (MB) is a unit of digital information storage equal to 1,024 kilobytes, while a Gigabyte (GB) is equal to 1,024 megabytes.

Featured Comparisons

Coyote vs. Jackal

Coyote vs. Jackal

Helicopter vs. Chopper

Helicopter vs. Chopper

Fate vs. Destiny

Fate vs. Destiny

Cuddle vs. Snuggle

Cuddle vs. Snuggle

Hard Copy vs. Soft Copy

Hard Copy vs. Soft Copy