What is the Difference Between Proper Noun and Common Noun?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The difference between a proper noun and a common noun lies in the type of thing they refer to and their capitalization. Here are the key differences:
- Proper Nouns: These refer to specific, named things, such as people, places, or things. Examples include "Chicago," "Mt. Kilimanjaro," and "Apple" (referring to the computer company). Proper nouns are always capitalized, regardless of their position in a sentence.
- Common Nouns: These refer to general, non-specific things, such as people, places, or things. Examples include "city," "mountain," and "fruit." Common nouns are only capitalized at the beginning of sentences.
In summary, proper nouns refer to specific, named entities and are always capitalized, while common nouns refer to general, non-specific entities and are only capitalized at the beginning of sentences.
On this pageWhat is the Difference Between Proper Noun and Common Noun? Comparative Table: Proper Noun vs Common Noun
Comparative Table: Proper Noun vs Common Noun
Here is a table highlighting the differences between proper nouns and common nouns:
Feature | Proper Nouns | Common Nouns |
---|---|---|
Definition | Specific names or titles for people, places, or things, e.g., "Bob," "New York," "Apple". | General or generic names for people, places, or things, e.g., "boy," "city," "device". |
Structure | Always start with a capital letter, even in the middle of a sentence. | Generally do not start with a capital letter, unless at the beginning of a sentence. |
Specificity | Refer to specific, unique, or named things, places, or people. | Refer to general, unspecified, or generic things, places, or people. |
Examples | - "Chicago" - "Mount Kilimanjaro" - "Khan Academy". |
- "river" - "mountain" - "apple". |
In summary, proper nouns refer to specific, named things, places, or people and always start with a capital letter. Common nouns refer to general, unspecified, or generic things, places, or people and do not start with a capital letter unless at the beginning of a sentence.
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- Adjective vs Abstract Noun
- Subject vs Object Pronouns
- Noun Clause vs Noun Phrase
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- a vs the in English Language
- Subject vs Object
- Demonstrative Pronoun vs Demonstrative Adjective
- Nominative vs Accusative
- Is vs Are in English Grammar
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