Proper Nouns Definition, Rules, and Examples in English • Englishilm

Learn the definition of Proper Nouns in English with usage and example sentences. In this blog article, we are going to cover a type of Noun that’s the name is Proper Noun. Also, we are going to learn the difference between Common Nouns and Proper Nouns with examples in English. Learn the entire lesson and enhance your English Grammar Skills.

Table of Contents

Proper Nouns Definition

A proper noun is a special word that we use for a person, place, or organization, like John, Marie, London, France, or Sony.

A name is a noun, but a very special noun – a proper noun.

9 Parts of Speech in English with Helpful Charts

Proper nouns are the opposite of common nouns, which represent general people, places, or things, but nothing specific. The common noun versions of the proper noun examples above are:

athlete
city
book

Difference between Proper Nouns and Common Nouns:

Proper Nouns: Proper nouns are names given to specific people, places, organizations, titles, and more.

Examples: Mary, Paris, Google, The Great Gatsby

Common Nouns: Common nouns are words used to refer to general categories of people, places, things, or ideas.

Examples: dog, city, book, chair, love

Learn more about Common Nouns in English

Look at the table to understand easily:

Common noun	Proper noun
man, boy	John
woman, girl	Mary
country, town	England, London
company	Ford, Sony
shop, restaurant	Amazon, Subway
month, day of the week	January, Sunday
book, film	War and Peace, Titanic

Capital Letters with Proper Nouns

Capital letters wield the power to transform words into proper nouns, lending them individuality, significance, and prominence. Look at the below examples to understand more easily:

1. Names of People: When addressing specific individuals, capitalize their names:

Correct: Jane Smith is a talented artist.
Incorrect: jane Smith is a talented artist.

2. Names of Places: Capitalize the names of cities, countries, continents, and any specific location:

Correct: She visited New York City during her trip.
Incorrect: She visited new York City during her trip.

3. Names of Titles: Capitalize titles of books, movies, songs, and other creative works:

Correct: I enjoyed reading The Catcher in the Rye.
Incorrect: I enjoyed reading the Catcher in the Rye.

4. Names of Companies and Organizations: Capitalize the names of businesses, corporations, and groups:

Correct: She works at Apple Inc.
Incorrect: She works at apple Inc.

5. Days, Months, and Holidays: Capitalize the names of days of the week, months, and holidays:

Correct: The event is scheduled for Friday.
Incorrect: The event is scheduled for friday.

6. Historical and Cultural Events: Capitalize significant historical and cultural events:

Correct: The Industrial Revolution transformed society.
Incorrect: The industrial revolution transformed society.

7. Languages and Nationalities: Capitalize names of languages and nationalities:

Correct: She is studying French and German.
Incorrect: She is studying french and german.

8. Names of Planets and Celestial Bodies: Capitalize the names of planets and celestial bodies:

Correct: Mars is known as the Red Planet.
Incorrect: mars is known as the Red Planet.

9. Unique Historical Documents and Works: Capitalize names of unique historical documents, like the Declaration of Independence.

Exceptions:

Capitalize the first word in a sentence, even if it’s a common noun.

Examples of Proper Nouns and Their Significance

People
- Example: Linda Johnson is an accomplished pianist.
- Significance: The proper noun “Linda Johnson” identifies a specific person, allowing us to distinguish her from other pianists.
Places
- Example: I’ve always dreamed of visiting Paris.
- Significance: The proper noun “Paris” refers to a distinct location, differentiating it from other cities and invoking images of the renowned French capital.
Organizations
- Example: Apple Inc. revolutionized the technology industry.
- Significance: The proper noun “Apple Inc.” identifies a particular company, enabling us to discuss its achievements and innovations accurately.
Titles
- Example: I love reading Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.
- Significance: The proper noun “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” is the title of a specific book, helping us refer to it precisely in conversations.
Days of the Week
- Example: We have a meeting scheduled for Thursday.
- Significance: The proper noun “Thursday” designates a particular day, allowing us to specify the timing of the meeting.
Months and Holidays
- Example: December is a festive month.
- Significance: The proper noun “December” refers to a specific month, and it holds associations with holidays like Christmas and New Year’s Eve.