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🐝 K to 2nd · Grammar & Spelling

What is a proper noun?

A proper noun is the special name of one person, place or thing and starts with a capital letter, while a common noun is a general name.

  • L.1.1b

Examples

  • The girl is Maya.
  • We live in a city called Denver.
  • My dog is named Biscuit.

Tip: If the word is somebody's or something's own name, it is a proper noun and needs a capital.

Try three

  1. Which is a proper noun: river, Nile, water?

    Show the answer and why
    Answer: Nile
    Nile is the name of one river, so it takes a capital.

  2. Common or proper: teacher

    Show the answer and why
    Answer: Common
    It names any teacher, not one teacher by name.

  3. Fix it: we went to lake tahoe in july.

    Show the answer and why
    Answer: We went to Lake Tahoe in July.
    Lake Tahoe is the name of one lake and July is the name of a month.

Practise it

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