Proper Nouns

A Proper Noun NAMES a person, place, or thing.

What’s the difference between a Common Noun

and a Proper Noun?

I’m glad you asked!

The key word is NAMES, a Proper Noun NAMES the Common Noun.

If I say The girl went to the store I can mean any girl. But if I say Kayley went to the store then we know exactly which girl

went to the store.

The Common Noun—girl, can mean anyoneThe Proper Noun—Kayley, names the girl

boy and girl are common nouns

The names of the boys and girls are Proper Nouns and should be

capitalizedKayley

PrincesaMichaela

NicoleEllie

MakenzieUgne

AudreeMadisonJessicaMarinaSerena

KunheeKiernan

JohnSkylerKerolosTylerIan

DavidPhillipKona

teacher and principal are Common Nouns

The names of the teachers and principals are Proper Nouns and

should be capitalizedMrs. Lesh

Miss. McNuttMrs. ParentMrs. Sharp

Mrs. StewartMrs. Zollman

Mrs. TurnerMrs. Fagen

day and month are Common Nouns

The NAMES of the days and months are Proper Nouns and

should be capitalizedSundayMondayTuesday

WednesdayThursdayFriday

Saturday

JanuaryFebruary

MarchAprilMayJuneJuly

AugustSeptember

OctoberNovember December

What about holidays? Are they Proper Nouns?

Common Noun

Halloween, Thanksgiving, Hanukah, Christmas, New Years Eve, Valentine’s Day—they are

all Proper Nouns.

YES!

city and state are Common Nouns

The NAMES of the cities and states are Proper Nouns and

should be capitalized

IndianaNew YorkFloridaOhio

IllinoisCalifornia

Texas

IndianapolisCarmel

WestfieldChicago

San DiegoDetroitOrlandoBoston

What are some other examples of Common Nouns?

Can you make them each a Proper Noun?

Common Noun

Justin BieberSinger

Proper Noun

The NAME of a singer

Common Noun

Finding NemoMovie

Proper Noun

The NAME of a movie

Common Noun

Harry PotterBook

Proper Noun

The NAME of a book

Common Noun

Never Say NeverSong

Proper Noun

The NAME of a song

Let’s Practice!

The girl is very smart.

girl is a Common Noun. If we wanted to know which girl was smart we would put a girls NAME in place

of girl.

_____ is very smart.

Nicole is very smart.

Who is very smart?

Nicole is a Proper Noun and names the girl. We capitalize

her name.

The boy went to see the doctor.

The boy went to see the doctor.

boy is a Common Noun. If we put Phillip’s name in for boy, we have

named the boy.

Phillip went to see the doctor.

Who went to see the doctor?

We now know that Phillip is the boy who went to see the doctor. Phillip NAMES the

boy. We capitalize his name.

What about people’s titles?

Now what is a title?

Dr.Mrs. Miss.Mr.Ms.

AuntUncle

Those are all titles. They help us identify a person

and are also Proper Nouns.

Let’s Practice!

When I get a shot dr. harris always give me a sucker.

When I get a shot dr. harris always give me a sucker.

What’s wrong with this sentence?

When I get a shot dr. harris always give me a sucker.

Dr. Harris is a title and should be capitalized because he names a

doctor.

When I get a shot Dr. Harris always give me a sucker.

My aunt amy gives the best presents.

What’s wrong with this

sentence?

My aunt amy gives the best presents.

Who is Amy?

She is your Aunt—Aunt is her title and you capitalize all titles!

My Aunt Amy gives the best presents.

Who is Amy?

She is your Aunt—Aunt is her title and you capitalize all titles!