What is Concrete Noun? Explore Definition, Examples and Exercises (PDF)

What is a Concrete Noun? This is a common question which we all will have in our minds when we come across this word. Well, a concrete noun is a kind of noun that alludes to a physical thing, place or person. It is something that can be recognized by the five senses which are sight, touch, smell, hearing, taste and hearing. Some of the examples of concrete nouns are pencil, whale, television, dog, etc. In this blog, we will discuss all about concrete nouns and how they can be wisely implemented in English grammar with the help of a few examples and exercises for you to solve in the end.

Must Read: Abstract Nouns: Definition, Examples and Usage

What is Concrete Noun in English Grammar?

The concrete noun denotes the physical things that can be sensed, touched, smelled, heard, or tasted. To provide clarity, things like butterflies, grandfather, rocks, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, etc all come under this noun. Moreover, invisible things such as music which we can hear and air which can be felt are also part of it. 

For Example: 

• There are lots of flowers in the garden.
• The house is made of brick and mortar.
• Orange is placed on the table. 

Also Read: 8 Types of Nouns You Must Know

Concrete Noun Vs. Abstract Noun

Concrete and abstract nouns are parts of the speech in English Grammar with contrasting meanings. Concrete nouns are those that refer to objects, people, places or things that can be perceived through our senses. While abstract nouns are not directly observable, they are qualities which people have. Emotions, philosophies, and feelings can be termed abstract nouns. Let’s understand the differences between the two through the examples below.

Noun	Examples
Concrete Noun	Phone, France, Dog, Tree, Television, Bicycle, Mouse, Carpet, Head and Arrow
Abstract Noun	Ability, Joy, Mercy, Nap, Ballot, Love, Courage, Charity, Fiction, Defeat and Fragility.

Also Read: Common Noun: Know Meaning, Types & Exercises

List of Concrete Nouns with Examples

Concrete Nouns have broad categories through which they can be listed. Here are some of the examples of concrete nouns that are given in the table to understand them better.

Kinds of people	Artist, Composer, Teacher, Friend, Engineer, Baby, Principal, Mechanic, Pope,
Types of Places	River, Street, Galaxy, Mountain, Forest, Desert, Rainforest, Planet, Coffee Shop, Galaxy
Objects and Substances	Pencils, Proton, Rice, Window, Raindrops, Chairs, Skirt, Glasses, Smartphones, Computers, Bicycles, Robots, Sand, dust, Mountain, River, Ocean.
Historical figures	Marie Curie, Cleopatra, Abraham Lincoln, Alexander the Great
Living Beings	Humans, Bacteria, Workers, Presidents, Vampire, Mathematician, Vampire, Duck, Teacher, Insects, Seed, Adult
Specific places(Natural Places, Cities and Towns, Building and Structures)	Sydney, New York, Paris, Tokyo, Sahara Desert, Eiffel Tower, Colosseum, Buckingham Palace, Central Park, Pacific Ocean

Also Read: Nouns vs Verbs: Difference You Must Know!

How to Use Concrete Nouns?

Concrete Nouns are used in English grammar to make the language easier and describe the sentences. Here are some of the tips by which you can use concrete nouns in your writing.

• It is important when you are using the language it should correctly connect with the different senses such as sound, sense, touch, sight, etc. 
• Some of the concrete nouns referring to the place, person, or thing do not require capitalization. However, for the proper concrete nouns that refer to these places, persons, or things the capitalization is done. 
• Concrete nouns use more direct and simpler verbs which allows them to form clear proses. 
• If the subject of any sentence is a concrete noun it must be ensured that there is an agreement between a noun and verb in numbers.

Types of Concrete Nouns

Concrete Nouns are mainly of five types which you can use in your writing. Some of the concrete nouns are as follows.

1. Proper Nouns

Proper Nouns are those types that refer to certain people, or places, that require capitalization and are more formal. Names such as John and Maria and places like London and Paris are proper nouns. These nouns are always capitalised no matter where they are used in a sentence. 

2. Common Nouns

Common Nouns are a type of concrete noun that normally refers to objects, people or places. Some of the examples of common nouns are Movie, restaurant, dog, child, etc. There is no use of capitalisation until the sentence starts.

3. Collective Nouns

Collective nouns are the kind of concrete nouns that indicate a group of objects, people or animals. Some examples of collective nouns are a herd of cattle, a flock of birds, a class of students, etc. 

4. Countable Nouns

The countable concrete nouns refer to physical objects or people that can be counted and exist in both singular and plural forms. Examples of countable nouns are “four butterflies”, “three colleges”, and “ten fingers”. 

5. Uncountable Nouns

The uncountable nouns are the kind of concrete nouns that refer to physical and tangible objects that cannot be counted. Examples of uncountable nouns are water, air, salt, knowledge, beauty, etc. All these elements cannot be calculated but you can interact with elements. These cannot be counted by using the traditional methods.

Also Read: Countable and Uncountable Nouns: Rules, Examples, and Exercises

Concrete Noun Exercises

Now when you have understood the concrete noun it’s time to check your understanding with the help of the exercise. In this exercise, you have to underline the words that are concrete nouns in the sentences.

1. A rainbow can be seen in the sky.
2. The little dog is sleeping on the street.
3. His cat’s name is Lily.
4. The soup was made to be sweet and crispy.
5. The frog is jumping near the river.

Answers

1. A rainbow can be seen in the sky.
2. The little dog is sleeping on the street.
3. His cat’s name is Lily.
4. The soup was made to be sweet and crispy.
5. The frog is jumping near the river.

If you are looking to solve some more questions, you can go through the PDF below which will help you check your knowledge.

Find more related reads below!

100 Examples of Countable Nouns in English	Examples of Common Nouns
What are Material Nouns?	What are Singular Nouns?
List of Proper Nouns A-Z: Examples, Exercises with Answers	What is a Verbal Noun? Definition and Examples with Quiz
Verbal Noun Examples	Examples of Collective Nouns
Plural Nouns: Definition, Rules, Examples & Exercises	What is an Adjectival Noun?

FAQs

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