NOUNS

The word “noun” is derived from a Latin word meaning “name.” Simply put, nouns give a name to persons, places or things.

Concrete nouns name things that can be discerned with the senses (smell, taste, hearing, sight, touch): desk, grass, pencil, bus.

Abstract nouns name things that cannot be discerned with the senses, and usually include emotions, concepts, or ideas: sadness, responsibility, integrity, freedom, love.

Common nouns name a general class of thing: students, teachers, cars, team, boy, girl, mother, spectator.

Proper nouns name a specific person, place, or thing and are capitalized: George Washington, Alaska, Empire State Building

Singular nouns name one person, place, or thing: theater, runza, stereo

Plural nouns name more than one person, place, or thing: buses, skis, radios

Directions: Circle the nouns in the following sentences.

  1. The best player on the team hurt his leg.
  1. Since the Suns lost Charles Barkley, fan support has been less enthusiastic.
  1. My teacher liked my report on George Washington Carver.
  1. Three police officers came and broke up the party that my friends told me about.
  1. My favorite song on the tape is “Warrior.”

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Now put each circled noun into one or more of the categories below:

Concrete:

Abstract:

Common:

Proper:

Singular:

Plural:

Plural Nouns

Directions: Form the plurals of all the following nouns. Then refer to a rule from your Write Source 2000 textbook.

SingularPluralRule #

1. station

2. waitress

3. ax

4. bus

5. halo

6. piano

7. echo

8. potato

9. tomato

10. radio

11. army

12. monkey

13. turkey

14. baby

15. roof

16. chief

17. calf

18. loaf

19. salmon

20. trout

21. moose

22. deer

23. ox

24. mouse

25. louse

26. sister-in-law

27. cupful

28. bride-to-be

29. wife

30. plateful

POSSESSIVE NOUNS AND PRONOUNS

If you learn the rules below, you should be able to write any possessive noun correctly. The first three rules below will apply to 95% or more of your possessive nouns.

RULE #1: Add ‘s to singular nouns that don’t end in “s” to make them possessive. (Singular possessive nouns are ‘s about 99.5% of the time!)

Example: My mom’s raincoat is gray.

RULE #2: Add an apostrophe to plural nouns that end in “s” to make them possessive. (Plural possessive nouns are s’ about 90% of the time!)

Example: The students’ efforts in 6th period shine!

RULE #3: Add an ‘s to plural nouns that don’t end in “s” before they’re possessive.

Example: The children’s grades were excellent.

RULE #4: Add ‘s to singular nouns of one syllable that end in “s” before they’re possessive.

Right: The bus’s tire was flat. The gas’s fumes were poisonous.

Wrong: The buse’s tire was flat. The gas’es fumes were poisonous.

RULE #5: Add an apostrophe to singular nouns of more than one syllable that end in “s” before they’re possessive.

Example: The Diamondbacks’ game plan worked perfectly.

Wrong: The Diamondback’s game plan worked perfectly.

Wrong: The Diamondbacks’s game plan worked perfectly

RULE #6: Use apostrophes only with possessive nouns and contractions, NOT with plural nouns or possessive pronouns.

WRONG: That house is their’s. RIGHT: That house is theirs.

WRONG: Give the cat it’s food. RIGHT: Give the cat its food.

WRONG: The girls’ had fun. RIGHT: The girls had fun.

POSSESSIVES WORKSHEETWENZ

Directions: Add apostrophes (and circle them) where needed. If necessary, add another “s” to words.

The Oregon State Beavers are a terrible football team. Their quarterbacks arm must be made of marshmallow rolls. Their linemens rear ends look like a hundred pounds of chewed bubble gum. The Beavers schedule is relatively easy, yet their players look like Pop Warner rejects against their opponents. Their coachs knowledge of the game is pathetic; all the other coaches hard work can’t make up for it. Even their one player, Bill Charles, with pro potential cant help them now. Charles shoulder was dislocated in last weeks game and hes out for the season.

The Beavers fans and cheerleaders are also a joke. The cheerleaders faces have more make-up on them than Freddy Kruegers. The fans enthusiasm is higher when standing in line for a hot dog than when the Beavers make a first down. The announcers have the speaking skills of 7th graders flunking Language Arts. If you want to watch some good football players, avoid the Beavers games. Youd have more fun if you got together with some friends and played a game of football yourselves.

NOUNS REVIEW

PART ONE: RECOGNIZING NOUNS

Directions: Circle the nouns in the following sentences. Then, on a separate sheet of paper, place each noun under columns labeledconcrete, abstract, common, proper, or possessive.

1. Please provide me with the information regarding Joe’s progress in Science.

2. Have you ever been to the states of Montana or Idaho inwinter?

3. Pain and heartache pierced his soul.

4. The Marlins beat the Indians in the World Series.

5. Golf can be an expensive hobby, especially when one plays at fancy courses.

PART TWO: POSSESSIVE NOUNS AND PRONOUNS

Directions: Edit the following sentences by changing the spelling of the misspelled possessive nouns and pronouns. You may have to add or delete apostrophes. The misspelled words have been underlined for you.

1. The womens’ locker room smells nasty.

2. My teachers bought theirselves’ some deodorant.

3. My girlfriends mother is a real witch.

4. My three coachs’ efforts have finally paid off.

5. Mr. Wenz’es haircut looks beautiful (like his face).

NOUNS, POSSESSIVES, AND CONTRACTIONS PRACTICEWENZ

DIRECTIONS: Add apostrophes where needed (some possessive nouns and some contractions need apostrophes). Circle the words to which you’ve added apostrophes.

1. In the story “Charles,” Charles behavior was a clue into the authors warped personality. 2. The authors obsession with delinquency makes me wonder about her familys child-raising techniques! 3. When she was growing up was her moms behavior toward her equally as clueless? 4. The dads refusal to discipline his son was turning him into a monster. 5. The dads I know wouldnt let their sons get away with half the garbage Charles does. 6. Does Shirley Jackson raise her sons in equally ridiculous ways? 7. Perhaps all of Ms. Jacksons stories plots are equally bizarre.

8. Shes a strange writer, and her characters personalities are even stranger. 9. Ive got better things to do than read books about idiots! 10. “Charles” is the last story of hers youll find me reading for awhile.

POSSESSIVES AND CONTRACTIONS (Continued)

Directions: Add apostrophes where needed. Circle the words to which you have added apostrophes.

Mr. Wenzs class is wonderful. His amazing teaching

techniques continually challenge his dazzled students minds. His classs importance should not be underestimated by the

communitys lack of awareness. Although his books are at least 15 years old, the learnings within the pages remain life-altering. As each students skills improve with time, their writings artistry and effectiveness improve concomitantly. Dont forget to dotomorrows homework!

Nouns Practice

Directions: Circle the nouns in the following sentences.

1. Hawaii is the coolest vacation spot in the entire world.

2. The Diamondbacks traded some of their key players and now are struggling.

3. My eager dad wanted to go a concert that Father McClain thought was inappropriate.

Directions: Turn the following verbs into nouns by adding an appropriate noun suffix. (Use one of the eleven suffixes learned in class.)

1. object2. differ

3. refine4. inhale

5. confuse6. resolve

7. repeat8. adhere

9. defy10. govern

Directions: Turn the following adjectives into nouns by adding the appropriate noun suffix. (Use one of the eleven suffixes learned in class.)

1. foul2. stupid

3. vacant4. gracious

5. heroic6. specific

7. inept8. rigid

9. diplomatic10. intelligent

NOUNS PRACTICE TEST

PART ONE: IDENTIFY NOUNS

Directions: Circle the nouns in the following sentences. Then put each noun into the categories that apply (concrete or abstract, common or proper).

1. What were the best parts of the movie?

2. Your history is no mystery to me.

3. Would you like to know how the pain and heartache pierce my soul?

4. Please carry me away to the gates of heaven and the fringes of the ethereal clouds.

5. Every word of your poetry touches my soul.

6. Please give me the directions to the university.

7. Is he really that talented?

8. Those French fries look incredibly appealing.

9. Please put your donations in the box by the counter.

10. I will never forget your dastardly deeds.

Concrete:

Abstract:

Common:

Proper:

PART TWO: PLURAL NOUNS

Directions: Write the plural of the following nouns.

1. potato: ______2. goose: ______

3. wolf: ______3. mouthful: ______

5. father-in-law: ______6. monkey: ______

PART THREE: POSSESSIVES AND CONTRACTIONS

Directions: Add apostrophes where needed. Circle the words to which you’ve added apostrophes.

Zeldas silk dress was definitely the hit of the two parties I attended the last two weekends. Joes love for Zelda reached uncontrollable proportions when he first saw how lovely she looked in her outfits splendor. Other boys ignored their dates affections and lined up to witness Zeldas grace on the dance floor. The other girls mouths gaped in envy at Zeldas style and beauty. Other girls outfits were nothing compared to Zeldas sheer, lovely gown. To add to our heroines attractiveness was a friendly demeanor and eyes that sparkled when she twirled along the dance floor. How beautys wardrobe can highlight such an enticing face! After experiencing Zeldas charms for myself, I realized that my girlfriend Francis qualities were no match for Zeldas. When I think of her charms Im in lovers heaven!

Directions: Turn the following verbs into nouns by adding an appropriate noun suffix or by dropping the verb suffix if the noun form is the root word. (Use one of the eleven suffixes learned in class.)

1. inject2. infer

3. confine4. exhale

5. refuse6. absolve

7. predict8. admit

9. apply10. beautify

11. socialize12. mutate

13. beautiful

Directions: Turn the following adjectives into nouns by adding the appropriate noun suffix or by dropping the adjective suffix if the noun form is the root word. (Use one of the eleven suffixes learned in class.)

1. sharp2. happy

3. final4. spacious

5. corrective6. verifiable

7. wild8. frigid

9. reliant10. Spacious

11. fantastic12. Electable

13. wondrous/wonderful

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