Here the discussion is on ‘how is a noun a concrete noun’. It will be very beneficial to us if we go through the whole article carefully.
A noun is a concrete noun. All nouns are divided into two categories i.e. concrete nouns and abstract nouns. Concrete means intangible. We can come to know about concrete nouns with our sense organs. The sense organs that help us to identify concrete nouns are eyes, ears, nose, tongue and skin.
A noun is concrete because we can perceive it. The nouns that we see with our eyes have physical existence. These are the concrete nouns.
Examples;
1. Suddenly a black panther was seen when we were in the zoo.
Explanation-Here ‘panther’ is a concrete noun because we can see and touch. So, it is a concrete noun.
2. My mother makes delicious cakes at home.
Explanation- In the above example ‘mother’ is a concrete noun. We can conceive through our senses.
Can a noun be concrete?
Concrete nouns have physical forms. All names cannot be concrete nouns. The nouns that cannot be identified through our senses are not concrete. They are abstract nouns. A noun is obviously concrete if it has physical existence or form that we can perceive.
The nouns are definitely concrete nouns that include all the features of physical forms.
Examples;
1. The door is opened.
Explanation- In the example ‘door’ is a concrete noun. We can see and touch it. It has a physical existence.
2. Don’t switch off the fan.
Explanation- Here the word ‘fan’ is a concrete noun. We can perceive it through our senses because it has a physical existence.
When is a noun concrete?
A noun is concrete when it is tangible. When the nouns are tangible words that can be measured and observed are called concrete nouns. If we see the things around us with our eyes and many others that are experienced through one of our five senses are surely called concrete nouns.
Thus it is obvious that all the tangible words are concrete nouns.
Examples;
Ex- I drink tea in the morning daily.
Explanation- In this sentence the word ‘tea’ has physical existence. So, this noun is a concrete noun.
Ex- There are many flower plants in the garden.
Explanation- The word ‘garden’ in this sentence is a concrete noun. For having physical form we can say it a concrete noun.
How concrete nouns are used?
Concrete nouns are a part of speech in everyday life. Concrete can be used both as subject or object in sentence as we do. To create a vivid sensory impact we use concrete nouns in English grammar.
Common nouns, proper nouns, countable nouns, uncountable nouns and collective nouns have the features of concrete nouns.. Now we will learn how all categories of concrete nouns are used.
Common nouns can be used as subject or object in a sentence. Common nouns always take articles before them.. Common concrete nouns describe place, person or things in general.
Ex-His sister is good at mathematics.
Explanation- In this sentence ‘sister’ is a concrete noun. The word ‘sister’ is in the class of common nouns.
Proper nouns are the nouns that have the specific names of place, person or thing. They are capital letter nouns. They are used as concrete nouns because they have physical existence.
Water, star, rice, salt are uncountable nouns. They are used as concrete nouns for having their physical forms.
Ex- Water is essential for all living things.
Explanation- In this example the word ‘water’ is an uncountable concrete noun.This liquid substance physically exists on this planet.
Ex-The stars twinkle in the sky.
Explanation- In this example the word ‘star’ is a concrete noun. It is an uncountable noun. As it is seen with our eyes it is a concrete noun.
Some examples of collective nouns are- an army, a herd of cows, a bunch of flowers, a bunch of keys, a shoal of fishes, a fleet of ships etc.
Ex- A herd of elephants was moving in the jungle.
Explanation- In the above example ‘a herd of elephants’ is a concrete noun because we can see and touch them because they have physical forms or existence on the Earth.
When are concrete nouns used?
Concrete nouns can be used in any part of a sentence. When we refer to anything that we can see, touch, smell, hear or taste concrete nouns are used. When we construct any sentence we can use concrete nouns wherever necessary.
Ex- The mobile phone is on the table.
Explanation- Here the words ’mobile’ and ‘table’ are concrete nouns because we can see and touch them.
Ex- My younger won a medal in the sports in school.
Explanation-Here the word ‘medal’ is a concrete noun because of its physical existence around us.
Where are concrete nouns used?
Concrete nouns are used both as subject, both as subject or object in a sentence. As concrete nouns include common nouns, proper nouns, material nouns and collective nouns we must use them in sentences while writing any topic in English. We use these nouns in today’s speech. Majority of nouns fall into this category. So we must use them in writing, speech or dialogue.
Ex- 1. There are two primary schools in the remote village.
Explanation- In the above mentioned example ‘schools’ is a concrete noun for having physical form.
Ex- The farmer had three sons who refused to work.
Explanation- In this example the words ‘farmer’ and ‘sons’ are common nouns. They are concrete nouns because we can see them with our eyes and touch them as they have physical existence.
Why are concrete nouns used?
Concrete nouns are the nouns that refer to something material and tangible. We use concrete nouns in the English language to make our writing more vivid, clear and grammatically correct. We also use concrete nouns to describe something that connects to sight, sound, taste, touch or smell.
Ex-The red roses in our garden smell sweet.
Explanation- This example shows that ‘roses’ is one kind of flower of which we can see and enjoy its beauty and sweet smell.
Ex-The old man, who has four sons is not looked after properly.
Explanation- In it the word ‘man’ is an example of a concrete noun. We can see him and touch him also.
Conclusion
The article describes very vividly the right usages of concrete nouns.We will be able to learn about concrete nouns through examples and their detailed discussions.
Hi…. I am Goutam Datta. I have completed a double M. A. in English and B. Ed. I am a creative writer. Currently, I am a part of the LambdaGeeks.
