Abstract And Concrete Nouns

TOPIC: ABSTRACT VS CONCRETE NOUNS

CONCRETE: BOOK, PIG…

COUNT

COMMON ABSTRACT: DIFFICULTY…

CONCRETE: BUTTER, GOLD…

NOUN NONCOUNT

ABSTRACT: LAZINESS…

PROPER

CONCEPTS:

Concrete nouns are words that name people, places or represent objects someone can see, hear, touch, smell, and taste with the senses. (Accessible to the five senses, observable, measurable, etc…)

Abstract nouns are anything someone cannot see, hear, touch, smell or taste. Nouns that name other things, such as ideas, actions, conditions, and qualities are called abstract nouns. (Typically non-observable and non-measurable)

EXAMPLES

Concrete Examples:

 The red book is on the table.

 The black dog is in my yard.

 The computers are new.

Abstract Examples:

• I love my husband. [In this sentence, the word love expresses an action and is therefore acting as a verb.]

• Send them my love. [In this sentence, the word love functions as an abstract noun because it is a thing that exists beyond the five senses.]

• Sarah could taste cilantro in the salsa. [In this sentence, the auxiliary verb 'could' functions with taste to illustrate action. She can physically taste the salsa.]

• Sarah has great taste in clothes. [In this sentence, taste functions in an abstract manner. Taste refers to her preferences.]

• I had a wonderful dream.

• I dreamed something terrible last night.

...