Nouns for Class 8

What are Nouns?

A noun is a part of speech that is used to indicate persons, animals, places or objects. For example, Mike, money, advice, football, etc.

Types of Nouns

There are various types of nouns.

1. Proper Noun

1. Proper nouns are specific names of an individual, place, animal or establishment.
2. Examples are Aron, Egypt, Kyle, etc.
3. Proper noun used in sentences:
   → Victoria Secret is a luxurious brand of clothing.
   Since ‘Victoria Secret’ is a unique brand though it is a proper noun.
   
   → New Delhi is the capital of India.
   Both Delhi and India are proper noun because of their specific names.

2. Common Nouns

1. Common nouns are the general names of a person, place, animal or establishment.
2. Since common nouns are general names their first letter is not capitalised.
3. Common nouns used in sentences:
   → I will watch a movie this weekend.
   ‘Movie’ is a common noun as it is not specified which movie.
   
   → Tomorrow is my first day at school.
   In this sentence ‘school’ is not specified therefore it is a common noun.

3. Abstract Noun

1. Abstract nouns describe ideas, concepts or characteristics of a thing that can’t be physically seen or touched by anyone.
2. Examples are comfort, justice, etc.
3. Abstract nouns used in a sentence:
   → Best of luck.
   It is impractical for us to touch or see ‘luck’.

4. Collective Noun

1. Nouns used to describe collections of people, animals, places or object are called collective nouns.
2. Collective nouns examples are pack, stack, shower, herd, pride, colony, etc.
3. Collective noun used in sentences:
   → I saw a flock of birds.
   Flock is a collective noun as it refers to a group of birds.
   
   → A shower of rain.
   ‘Shower’ is a collective noun that is generally used with rain.

5. Material Noun

1. Material nouns are the nouns that describe matter or substances from which things are made.
2. Examples of material nouns are glass, stone, concrete, marble, honey, etc.
3. Material noun used in sentences:
   → Have you seen my leather jacket?
   ‘Leather’ is a material from which a jacket is made.
   
   → It was marble flooring.
   ‘Marble’ is a material from which the flooring was done.

6. Countable Noun

1. Things or objects which can be counted and measured individually are called countable nouns.
2. Examples of countable nouns are apple, pole, car, phone, etc.
3. Countable nouns used in sentences:
   → We need more chairs for the audience.
   We can easily count chairs therefore it is a countable noun.
   
   → I need a dozen apples.
   Apples can be easily counted.

7. Uncountable Noun

1. Things or objects which cannot be counted and measured individually are called uncountable nouns.
2. Examples of uncountable nouns are air, water, butter, sand, etc.
3. Uncountable nouns used in sentences:
   → I need some advice from you.
   We cannot count or measure ‘advice’.
   
   → This book provides its readers with so much knowledge.
   We can’t count ‘knowledge’.

8. Singular Noun

1. Nouns that only indicate one person, animal, place or a thing are known as singular nouns.
2. Examples of singular nouns are cap, court, hammer, etc.
3. Singular noun used in sentences:
   → He just bought his dream car.
   ‘He’ is a singular subject and ‘car’ is a singular noun.
   
   → Please clean the window, it's dirty.
   Since there is only one window we used a singular noun.

9. Plural Noun

1. Nouns that indicate more than one or multiple persons, animals, places or thing are known as plural nouns.
2. Examples of plural nouns are bandages, clips, crabs, envelopes, etc. 
3. Plural nouns used in sentences:
   → We need more chairs for the guests.
   In this sentence ‘chairs’ and ‘guests’ are plural nouns.
   
   → How many students attended the English class last week?
   ‘Students’ is a plural noun as they are multiple.

10. Gender Noun

1. A noun that denotes the gender of a person or an occupation is a gender noun.
2. Gender noun used in sentences:
   → The waiter brought us our food.
   Waiter is a masculine noun.
   
   → The bride was looking stunning on her wedding day.
   Bride and ‘her’ are feminine nouns.

11. Concrete Noun

1. Concrete nouns indicate objects or things that can be physically seen or touched.
2. Examples are stone, road, bike, post office, etc.
   → Her room is filled with fiction books.
   ‘Books’ is a concrete noun because it is tangible.
   
   → Let’s have some popcorn while watching a movie.
   ‘Popcorn’ is a concrete nouns.

12. Compound Noun

1. Nouns that are formed by two words and have a different meaning are known as compound nouns.
2. Examples are football, upstairs, backyard, etc.
3. Compound nouns used in sentences: 
   → Don’t forget to carry a raincoat, it’s raining.
   Raincoat is made from the words rain + coat.
   
   → A butterfly has beautiful wings.
   Butterfly is made from the words butter + fly.

Rules for Making a Singular Noun Plural

Examples of Nouns in Sentences

1. My mom gave me a beautiful bouquet of lilies.
2. Please switch on the lights. It's dark here.
3. I need some details about the trip.
4. Alice is using her earphones.
5. Do you need some money to buy more muffins?

FAQs

1. Define nouns.

Answer: Nouns are used to identify and distinguish people, places, animals or things. For example, Klinton, tiger, horse, container, glass, etc.

2. How are nouns classified?

Answer: Nouns can be classified into 12 categories. These are:

1. Common noun
2. Proper noun
3. Abstract noun
4. Material noun
5. Collective noun
6. Compound noun
7. Countable noun
8. Uncountable noun
9. Singular noun
10. Plural noun
11. Concrete noun
12. Gender noun

3. Are there any nouns that cannot be converted into plural noun?

Answer: Yes, there are some nouns that always remain singular. For example, water cannot be waters.