NOUNS

What are nouns?A noun is a word used as the name of a person, place or thing. There are different kinds of nouns. Read the following sentence:Solomon was a wise king.Here the noun Solomon refers to a particular king, but the noun king may refer to any other king as well. Here Solomon is a proper noun and king is a common noun.Similarly, Alice is a proper noun and girl is a common noun.France is a proper noun and country is a common noun.A proper noun is the name of a particular person or thing. A common noun is a name given in common to every person or thing of the same class or kind.Note that proper nouns always begin with a capital letter. Common nouns include what are called collective nouns and abstract nouns.Collective nounsA collective noun is the name of a collection of persons or things taken together and spoken of as one whole.Examples are: jury, committee, class, family, team, folk, fleet, nation etc.An abstract noun is the name of a quality, action or state which we can only think of. Examples are: kindness,goodness, honesty, bravery, ignorance, stupidity, wisdom, laughter etc.Note that the names of arts and sciences are also considered abstract nouns.Abstract nouns are formed from adjectives, verbs or common nouns. For example, the abstract noun kindness is formed from the adjective kind whereas the abstract noun obedience is formed from the verb obey.Countable and uncountable nounsNouns are also classified as countable and uncountable. Countable nouns are the names of objects that we can count. Examples are: book, pen, apple, doctor, sister, boy etc. Uncountable nouns are the names of things which we cannot count. Examples are: rice, gold, wheat, honesty, beauty, oil etc.Note that countable nouns have plural forms and can be used with the indefinite article a/an. Uncountable nouns do not have plural forms and cannot be used with the indefinite articles.Formation of plural nounsThe plural noun is generally formed by adding -s to the singular.Cow (singular), cows (plural)Boy, boysGirl, girlsBook, booksTree, treesDog, dogsPen, pensNouns ending in -s, -sh, -ch or -x form the plural by adding -es to the singular.Class (singular), classes (plural)Brush, brushesKiss, kissesMatch, matchesDish, dishesMost nouns ending in -o also form their plural by adding -es to the singular.Mango (singular), mangoes (plural)Hero, heroesPotato, potatoesVolcano, volcanoesNote that a few nouns ending in -o merely add -s.Dynamo (singular), dynamos (plural)Piano, pianosPhoto, photosLogo, logosKilo, kilosNouns ending in a consonant + y form their plural by changing -y into -i and adding -es.Baby (singular), babies (plural)Lady, ladiesCity, citiesStory, storiesThe following nouns ending in -f or -fe form their plural by changing -f or -fe into v and adding -es.Thief (singular), thieves (plural)Wife, wivesLeaf, leavesHalf, halvesSelf, selvesCalf, calvesLoaf, loavesKnife, knivesElf, elvesWolf, wolvesShelf, shelvesMost other nouns ending in -f or -fe add -s.Chief (singular), chiefsGulf, gulfsSafe, safesProof, proofsA few nouns form their plural by making some changes to inside vowels.Foot (singular), feet (plural)Man, menWoman, womenTooth, teethMouse, miceGoose, geese

Formation of plurals Part IISome nouns have identical singular and plural forms. Examples are: swine, sheep, deer, cod, salmon, aircraft, spacecraft, series, species etc.The following nouns are always used in the singular form after numerals: pair, dozen, score, gross, hundred and thousandI bought three dozen mangoes. (NOT I bought three dozens mangoes.)The music player cost me two hundred dollars.He weighs above nine stone.Note that the plural of fish is fish or fishes. In modern English, fishes is used to talk about different kinds of fish.Some nouns are used only in the plural. Examples are: bellows, scissors, tongs, spectacles, trousers, drawers,jeans, breeches, tights, shorts etc.A number of nouns ending in -s are in fact singular. Examples are: mathematics, physics, electronics, news, measles, mumps, rickets, billiards, innings etc.Mathematics is his favourite subject.No news is good news.West Indies won by an innings and three runs.Measles is highly contagious.A few collective nouns, though singular in form, are always used as plurals. Examples are: cattle, poultry, people, gentry etc.These poultry are mine. (NOT This poultry is mine.)Vermin destroy property and spread disease.Who are these people?The following nouns are always used in the singular. Examples are: luggage, news, advice, information, news, furniture, scenery etc.Kashmir is known for its scenery. (NOT Kashmir is known for its sceneries.)We have received no information. (NOT no informations)We need to buy some furniture. (NOT some furnitures.)Noun: GenderLiving beings are of either the male or the female sex. Now compare the following pairs of words.Boy, girlMan, womanHusband, wifeLion, lionessHere the first word of each pair is the name of a male animal. The second word of each pair is the name of a female animal. A noun that denotes a male animal is said to be of the masculine gender. A noun that denotes a female animal is said to be of the feminine gender.A noun that denotes either a male or a female is said to be of the common gender. Examples are: parent, child, friend, servant, thief, enemy, cousin, student, baby, teacher, writer etc.A noun that denotes a thing that is neither male nor female is said to be of the neuter gender. Examples are: book, pen, room, house, tree etc.It is thus seen that in modern English, the gender of a noun is entirely a matter of sex or the absence of it. It has nothing to do with the form of a noun, which determines its gender in many other languages.Note that inanimate objects are often personified, that is, spoken of as if they were living beings. We then regard them as males or females.The masculine gender is often applied to lifeless objects known for strength or violence. Examples are: sun, summer, winter, time, death etc.The feminine gender is often applied to lifeless objects known for beauty or gracefulness. Examples are: moon, earth, spring, autumn, nature, liberty, justice, peace, mercy, hope etc.Formation of the Possessive CaseSingular nouns form their possessive case by adding s to the singular.The boys dogMy fathers officeOnly the apostrophe () without s is added if the noun contains too many hissing sounds.For goodness sakeFor conscience sakeFor Jesus sakeMoses lawsPlural nouns ending in -s form their possessive case by adding only an apostrophe.Boys schoolGirls hostelPlural nouns that do not end in -s, form the possessive case by adding s.Childrens booksWomens clubUses of the possessive caseThe possessive case is now used chiefly with the names of living things.The lions maneThe ministers bodyguardsThe Kings palaceThe possessive case is not normally used with the names of lifeless things; instead, we use a structure with ofThe leg of the table (NOT The tables leg)The cover of the book (NOT The books cover)The roof of the house (NOT The houses roof)ExceptionsThe possessive case is often used with the names of personified objects.Natures lawsFortunes favouritesAt dutys callAt wits endThe possessive case is also used with nouns denoting time, space and weight.In a years timeA days workAt a stones throwA pounds weightThe possessive of a proper noun denoting a trade, profession or relationship can often be used to denote a building or place of business.She has gone to the bakers. (= bakers shop)Tonight we are dining at Smiths (= Smiths house)Ways of forming the Feminine GenderThere are three ways of forming the feminine gender.1) By using an entirely different word.Bachelor (masculine) / spinster or maid (feminine)Boy / girlUncle / auntMan / womanHusband / wifeFather / motherBrother / sisterSon / daughterHorse / mareMonk / nunBuck / doeKing / queenCock / henDog / bitchDrake / duckEarl / countessGander / geeseGentleman / ladyNephew / niece

2) By adding a syllable (-ess, -ine, -trix etc) to the masculine genderAuthor (masculine) / authoress (feminine)Baron / baronessCount / countessGiant / giantessHeir / heiressHost / hostessLion / lionessMayor / mayoressPoet / poetessPriest / priestessIn the following -ess is added after dropping the vowel of the masculine ending.Actor (masculine) / actress (feminine)Enchanter / enchantressDuke / duchessEmperor / empressPrince / princessTiger / tigressWaiter / waitressMaster / mistressSorcerer / sorceress3) By placing a word before or afterGrandfather / grandmotherManservant / maidservantLandlord / landladyPeacock / peahenSalesman / saleswomanWasherman / washerwomanNotesA mayor can be a man or a woman. In British English, a mayoress is the wife of a male mayor.Some words ending in -ess are no longer used. Examples are: authoress and poetess. Author and poet are now used for both men and women. The words steward and stewardess are being replaced by other terms like flight attendant. Note that a flight attendant can be a man or a woman.Countable NounsCountable nouns are the names of objects, people and places that can be counted. Examples are: flower, boy, apple, book, tree, room, house, window etc.Countable nouns have singular and plural forms and can be used with indefinite articles (a / an) and numbers.Generally, a singular countable noun always takes an article or another determiner with it.I saw a boy in the store. (BUT NOT I saw boy in store.)The child was playing with his toy. (BUT NOT Child was playing with toy.)A plural noun can be used with or without an article.Children were playing in the park. (This style is preferred when you dont expect the listener to know which children you are talking about.)OR The children were playing in the park. (This style is preferred when you are talking about children who have already been mentioned.)Uncountable nouns refer to objects or ideas that cannot be counted. Examples are: rice, sand, milk, honey, honesty, integrity etc.Uncountable nouns cannot be used with numbers. It is also not possible to use the articles a / an with uncountable nouns.Uncountable nouns are always singular and should be used with a singular verb.Honesty is the best policy. (NOT Honesty are the best policy.)Rice is the staple food of Indians. (NOT Rice are the staple food of Indians.)Note that some nouns which are countable in one language can be uncountable in another language. For example, the word grapes is a plural countable noun in English. However, it is uncountable in many other languages.Nouns that exist only in the singular or plural formIn English, there are several nouns that exist only in the plural form. Except for a few, they all end in s.Examples are:Amends (to make amends for causing some loss)Annals (pages of books of history)ArchivesArms (weapons)ArrearsAshes (of a dead cremated body)Auspices (patronage)BowelsBrains (intellect)ContentsCustoms (duty)EarningsEntrailsFireworksFunds (money)GoodsGuts (bowels, courage)Letters (in the expression a man of letters)Looks (e.g. She has got attractive looks)Manners (in the expression good manners)Odds (in the expression heavy odds)OutskirtsPains (e.g. to take pains)Premises (building)Riches (wealth)Stairs (e.g. a flight of stairs)Surroundings (environment)ThanksTroopsTropicsValuablesWagesProceedsTidingsNuptialsAlmsDrawersThe following are unmarked plurals which do not end in s. Examples are: cattle and plural.Some words ending in s do not change in the plural. Examples are:BarracksCrossroadsHeadquartersMeansSeriesSpeciesWorks (= factory)SwissSpecial casesSome singular uncountable nouns end in s. They have no plural forms. Examples are: news, billiards, draughts, measles etc.Measles is highly contagious.Most words ending in ics are also usually singular uncountables and have no plurals. Examples are:mathematics, physics, athletics, politics.Politics is a dirty game.Mathematics isnt the easiest of all subjects.Other nouns which do not change in the plural are craft, sheep, fish and deer.Using ifIf is a subordinating conjunction. It is mainly used to introduce a condition that must exist before something else can happen.If you dont work hard, you will fail.If she is late, we will have to go without her.If she doesnt pay the fee, she will not be allowed to take the test.If clauses may also introduce a situation that may happen or may be real.If you miss this opportunity, you will have to regret later.If you want / likeThis expression is used to suggest that somebody has the freedom to do what they want.She can join us if she wants / likes.If soIf so means if this is true.Do you like our lessons? If so, would you mind sharing them on your favorite bookmarking sites?If can be used to introduce a situation that always produces the same result.If you heat ice, it melts.I always get a headache if I dont sleep well.Indirect yes / no questionsIf is used to introduce indirect yes / no questions. Whether is also possible in this case.Are you ready? Rani asked me.Rani asked me if I was ready.Do you like classical music? she asked.She asked me if I liked classical music.I still havent decided if I am moving to another city.Plural uncountable nounsMost uncountable nouns are singular in number. Therefore, we use the singular form of the verb with them.Dont hurry there is plenty of time. (NOT There are plenty of time.)Practice makes the man perfect. (NOT Practice make the man perfect.)Uncountable nouns are often treated as countables if we are talking about different kinds of material, liquid etc.Most washing powders are not very kind to your hands.Although powder is an uncountable noun, here we are talking about different kinds of the material.Abstract nouns are usually uncountable. Some abstract nouns can have both countable and uncountable uses.When used with a general meaning, these nouns are usually uncountable. When used with a particular meaning,these nouns are usually countable.We had a nice time when we went to the beach yesterday. (countable)I couldnt finish the report because I didnt get enough time. (uncountable)Plural uncountablesSome uncountable nouns are plural. They have no singular forms with the same meaning, and cannot be used with numbers. Common examples are: groceries, arms, remains, goods, customs, clothes, thanks, regards, police etc.The police are searching for a white man in his twenties.Have you bought the groceries? (NOT Have you bought the grocery?)Many thanks for your help.Other plural uncountable nouns include trousers, jeans, pyjamas, pants, scissors, spectacles etc.Common mistakes in the use of uncountable nounsRead the following sentences.The sceneries here are not good.The scenery here is not good.Which of the two sentences is the correct one?The word scenery is uncountable in English. It may be countable in some other languages. However, in English,we cant say sceneries or a scenery.As you know, uncountable nouns do not have plural forms and they cannot be used with numbers or the article a/an. And hence the sentence The sceneries here are not good, isnt correct.More examples are given below.Incorrect: They have got lots of furnitures.Correct: They have got lots of furniture.Incorrect: We have received no informations about the accident.Correct: We have received no information about the accident.Incorrect: I heard these news in the morning.Correct: I heard this news in the morning.Incorrect: He asked me to pack my luggages.Correct: He asked me to pack my luggage.The nouns information, furniture, news, luggage etc., are uncountable.Incorrect: Please excuse the troubles.Correct: Please excuse me for the trouble.The word trouble is mainly used as an uncountable noun. It doesnt usually have a plural form.Also the word excuse should be followed by an indirect object.However, the plural form troubles can be used to refer to all the problems that a person has. In this case, it is usually preceded by a possessive.All of us have our troubles and we must find ways to deal with them.Incorrect: He provided the blinds with food.Correct: He provided the blind with food.The expressions the blind, the deaf, the unemployed, the dead, the poor etc., are plural. The blindmeans all blind people. We cant say the blinds or the deafs.Rules regarding the formation of pluralsIn English, we form the plurals of nouns by adding s to the singular. Examples are given below.Boy -> boysGirl -> girlsBook -> booksThere are several exceptions to this rule. Nouns ending in s, -sh, -ch and x, form their plurals by adding es tothe singular.Examples are:Box -> boxesClass -> classesBranch -> branchesBrush -> brushesWatch -> watchesMost nouns ending in o, generally form their plurals by adding es.Examples are:Mango -> mangoesHero -> heroesPotato -> potatoesVolcano -> volcanoesSome singular nouns ending in o, form their plurals by simply adding s.Examples are:Piano -> pianosPhoto -> photosStereo -> stereosDynamo -> dynamosNouns ending in a consonant + -y, form their plurals by changing that y into i and adding es.Baby -> babiesLady -> ladiesCity -> citiesStory -> storiesMost nouns ending in f or fe form their plurals by changing f or fe into v and adding es.Leaf -> leavesLife -> livesThief -> thievesKnife -> knivesThere are several exceptions to this rule and the following nouns form their plurals by simply adding s.ExamplesRoof -> roofsProof -> proofsDwarf -> dwarfsBelief -> beliefsA few nouns form their plurals irregularly. Examples are given below.Man -> menWoman -> womenTooth -> teethMouse -> miceSome nouns have the singular and the plural alike. Examples are: swine, sheep, deerThe nouns dozen, score, pair, hundred and thousand do not have a plural form when they are used after anumber.The car cost me five lakh rupees. (NOT five lakhs dollars)Abstract nounsAn abstract noun is the name of a quality, action or state. Abstract nouns refer to ideas that we cannot see or touch.Examples are given below.Quality goodness, kindness, beauty, intelligence, generosity, cleverness, obedience, honesty, brightness, wisdom, bravery, courage, hardness, softnessAction laughter, theft, movement, judgmentState childhood, boyhood, manhood, youth, slavery, sickness, poverty, death, sleepThe names of the arts and science are also abstract nouns. Examples are: physics, chemistry, grammar, musicAbstract nouns can be formed from adjectives, verbs and common nouns.From adjectivesKindness from kindBravery from braveIllness from illHonesty from honestFrom verbsObedience from obeyGrowth from growPleasure from pleaseFrom common nounsChildhood from childSlavery from slave

Common mistakes in the use of nounsIn this lesson, we will take a look at some common mistakes in the use of nouns.Incorrect: There is no place on this bus.Correct: There is no room on this bus.Incorrect: I am learning a new poetry.Correct: I am learning a new poem.Poetry means poems collectively.Incorrect: He is leaving his service.Correct: He is leaving his job.Incorrect: All of my relations are poor.Correct: All of my relatives are poor.Incorrect: The clock has struck five hours.Correct: The clock has struck five.Incorrect: The boarding is full.Correct: The boarding house is full.Incorrect: I saw two females in the store.Correct: I saw two women in the store.Incorrect: He enquired about your state of health.Correct: He enquired about the state of your health.Incorrect: My English is very weak.Correct: I am very weak in English.Incorrect: The weather of Chennai does not suit me.Correct: The climate of Chennai does not suit me.Incorrect: Why are you standing in the center of the street?Correct: Why are you standing in the middle of the street?Incorrect: I visit them once in a week.Correct: I visit them once a week.Incorrect: Her hairs are grey.Correct: Her hair is grey.Incorrect: I bought two dozens pencils.Correct: I bought two dozen pencils.Incorrect: He took insult at this.Correct: He took offence at this.Incorrect: He put your sign here.Correct: He put your signature here.