An abstract noun names an intangible concept or a quality that cannot be recognized or experienced using the five senses (sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch). Abstract nouns tend to fall under one of the categories of feelings or emotions, states, ideas or concepts, events, and qualities.
Abstract noun type | Examples |
---|---|
Feelings/emotions | love, hate, anger, joy |
States | peace, misery, denial |
Ideas/concepts | wisdon, knowledge, culture, motivation |
Events | adventure, childhood, past, present, future |
Qualities | patience, courage, beauty |
Abstract nouns are one of several different types of nouns in the English language and they can be countable or uncountable nouns.
Many common abstract nouns are made by adding a suffix like -ity, -tion, or -ment to different types of nouns. For example, adding the suffix -hood to the concrete noun “child” creates the abstract concept of “childhood.”
The following sentences incorporate examples of abstract nouns.
Feelings/emotions:
States:
Ideas/concepts:
Events:
Qualities:
Concrete nouns are people, places, and physical objects that can be experienced and understood through one of the five senses, whereas abstract nouns cannot. If it can be seen, smelled, tasted, heard, or touched, then it is a concrete noun.
Concrete nouns include the following:
Learn about other English grammar terms like pronouns, adverbs, and synonyms.
After working your way through this lesson and video, you have learned:
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