Is Proper Noun A Verb: 7 Important Facts You Should Know

In this article we are going to look at examples and explanations related to the topic “Is Proper Noun a Verb?”.

“Proper Noun” behaves like verbs in some sentences of modern grammar. Basically the name of specific living or non-living being becomes an activity within itself.

Can a proper noun be a verb?

Yes, proper noun can be treated as “Verb” in some situations. Proper noun as verb is not accepted in authentic traditional English grammar and usage. Modern day grammar usage is quite different from the traditional rules and regulations. Though people are using proper noun as a “Verb” in their informal verbal and written English but still it is not widely accepted in formal written English.

How can a proper noun be a verb?

A proper noun can be a verb by using it as an activity. A proper noun is a name of specific person, place, animal, thing, object, company, organization etc. When we use these specific names as an activity then we can call it a “Verb”. We must keep in mind that a proper noun can’t be an activity but can be used in the place of a ‘Verb’.

Example – I need to Google about Homeopathy as I am in need to have some information about the same.

Explanation –

Here, the proper noun which is in use as “Verb” is “Google”. Here, the proper noun “Google” is in use to convey the meaning “Search”. Speaker used the proper noun “Google” instead of using the verb “searching”.

When can a proper noun be a verb?

A proper noun can be a ‘Verb’ when it is in use as an activity. When name of any specific person, place, object, company, organization etc. is in use as ‘Name of an Activity’ then it can be called a ‘Verb’.

Example – Pijush used to Skype his mother whenever he misses her in this abroad.

Explanation –

The word ‘Skype’ is an example of a proper noun because ‘Skype’ is a specific name of an application. Here, the proper noun ‘Skype’ can be called a ‘Verb’ because it has been used to mean the activity ‘Connecting’. 

Where can a proper noun be a verb?

Proper nouns are normally used as a verb where we need to show any activity. Names of specific company, organization, place etc. are in use as verb in modern English usage. It becomes a habbit of modern people to use ‘Proper Noun’ instead of the verb which helps to conduct the activity. There are many modes, applications, ways through which modern people conduct activity. Thus, instead of mentioning the proper noun, people use the ‘Proper Noun’ through which they perform that activity.

is proper noun a verb
Five Examples of Proper Noun as a ‘Verb’

Example – Rina likes to do Youtube to learn new mutton curry recipe.

Explanation –

Here, the proper noun ‘Youtube’ is in use as ‘Verb’. The application ‘Youtube’ helps us to watch videos regarding various educational, social, political issues and information. Here, the proper noun ‘Youtube’ is in use to show the particular activity, ‘Searching’.

Which form of verb is used with proper noun?

A proper noun doesn’t change its form even if it is in use as ‘Verb’ in a sentence. There is another concept ‘Subject-Verb Agreement’. The basic rule about the relation between ‘Verb’ and ‘Proper Noun’ is they should match each other in terms of singularity or plurality. If the proper noun is in ‘Singular Form’ then the verb must also be in ‘Singular Form. If the proper noun is in ‘Plural Form’ then the verb used with the proper noun must also be in ‘Plural Mode’.

Example – Pijush is playing badminton with his best friend.

Explanation –

Here, the proper noun ‘Pijush’ is in ‘Singular Form’ and the verb ‘is’ is also in ‘Singular Mode’.

Proper noun as a verb examples –

Example One – Sandip likes to Whatsapp his friends instead of talking directly with them.

Example Two – Celebrities like to do Twitter about their daily life and emotions.

Example Three – Let’s do Facebook to share our memories which are worth to mention.

Example Four – Mira likes to do Flipkart to buy branded clothes.

Example Five – Let’s do Gillette to have clean shave for coming wedding ceremony.

Explanation One – Here, the proper noun ‘Whatsapp’ is in use as ‘Verb’. The proper noun ‘Whatsapp’ is name of a specific application which helps us to connect not with each other but also to the broad world. Here, the proper noun ‘Whatsapp’ is in use to show the particular activity, ‘Connecting’.

Explanation Two – Here, the proper noun ‘Twitter’ is in use as ‘Verb’. The proper noun ‘Twitter’ is name of a particular application which helps us to convey our inner thinking to the broad world. Here, the proper noun ‘Twitter’ is in use to show the particular activity, ‘Conveying Message’.

Explanation Three – Here, the proper noun ‘Facebook’ is in use as ‘Verb’. The proper noun ‘Facebook’ is name of a particular software application helps us to convey our inner thinking and share our memories in the form of picture with our friends. Here, the proper noun ‘Facebook’ is in use to show the particular activity, ‘Sharing’.

Explanation Four – Here, the proper noun ‘Flipkart’ is in use as ‘Verb’. The proper noun ‘Flipkart’ is name of a particular software application which helps us to buy products over the internet. Here, the proper noun ‘Flipkart’ is in use to show the particular activity, ‘Buying’.

Explanation Five – Here, the proper noun ‘Gillette’ is in use as ‘Verb’. The proper noun ‘Gillette’ is name of a company which sells shaving range. Here, the proper noun ‘Gillette’ is in use to show the particular activity, ‘Shaving’.

Difference between proper noun and verbal noun –

1st Difference – A “Verbal Noun” is a verb form that works as a “Noun” while a “Proper Noun” is name of a specific entity.

2nd Difference – Verbal Nouns are usually formed by adding the suffix –ing’ at the end of the verb while proper noun form can not be changed. Though we must be noted that all verbal nouns don’t end with ‘-ing’.

3rd Difference – Verbal noun needs not to be capitalized but a proper noun must be capitalized in its front letter.

Example of ‘Verbal Noun’ – Running has become one of the main sports in modern India.

Explanation –

Here, the verbal noun is “Running”. The term ‘-ing’ has been added to the verb ‘run’ and it becomes verbal noun ‘Running’. The word “Running” is usually used as a ‘Verb’. Here, the word ‘Running’ is in use as ‘Verbal Noun’ because it is in use as ‘Name of an Activity.

Conclusion –

Proper nouns are not accepted as “Verb” in traditional age-old grammar rules and regulations but with modern grammar modification and verbing “Proper Noun” also started performing as “Verb”.