Instructions
This worksheet will help you master the difference between common nouns and proper nouns. Remember: Nouns name people, places, things, or ideas.
- Read the definitions and examples carefully.
- Complete the identification, sorting, and editing exercises in order.
- Pay close attention to capitalization rules.
- Challenge yourself with the final writing task!
Section 1: Identifying the Types of Nouns
A Common Noun is a general name for a person, place, thing, or idea. It is not capitalized unless it starts a sentence. (Example: dog, school, planet)
A Proper Noun is the specific name of a particular person, place, thing, or idea. It must always be capitalized. (Example: Fido, Oakwood Elementary, Mars)
Task A: Noun Check
Read the list below. If the word is a Proper Noun, circle it and rewrite it correctly in the space provided. If it is a Common Noun, write 'C'.
| Word | Type (Proper or C) | Corrected/Rewritten Noun (If Proper) |
|---|---|---|
| teacher | C | |
| friday | Proper | Friday |
| mountain | ||
| london | ||
| student | ||
| shoe | ||
| president obama | ||
| lake superior |
Section 2: Building the Noun Bridge
For each Common Noun listed in the first column, write a specific Proper Noun that fits that category in the second column. Remember the capitalization rule!
| Common Noun (General) | Proper Noun (Specific Name) | Rule Check (Is the Proper Noun capitalized?) |
|---|---|---|
| Example: month | Example: January | Yes |
| car brand | ||
| planet | ||
| specific person | ||
| historical battle | ||
| river | ||
| theme park |
Section 3: Editing for Proper Capitalization
Proper nouns are often misspelled when they are not capitalized. Rewrite the following sentences, correcting all common nouns that should be proper nouns.
- My favorite book is charlotte’s web, written by e.b. white.
Correction:
- The city of chicago is located near lake michigan.
Correction:
- We celebrated our vacation to france in the month of september.
Correction:
- Our team’s mascot, a german shepherd named max, loves to play fetch.
Correction:
Section 4: Creative Noun Challenge
Write two complete, detailed sentences below. Each sentence must include at least two Common Nouns and two Proper Nouns. Ensure all proper nouns are capitalized correctly.
Sentence 1:
Sentence 2:
Answer Key
Section 1: Identifying the Types of Nouns
| Word | Type (Proper or C) | Corrected/Rewritten Noun (If Proper) |
|---|---|---|
| teacher | C | |
| friday | Proper | Friday |
| mountain | C | |
| london | Proper | London |
| student | C | |
| shoe | C | |
| president obama | Proper | President Obama |
| lake superior | Proper | Lake Superior |
Section 2: Building the Noun Bridge
(Answers will vary, examples provided)
| Common Noun (General) | Proper Noun (Specific Name) | Rule Check (Is the Proper Noun capitalized?) |
|---|---|---|
| Example: month | Example: January | Yes |
| car brand | Ford / Toyota | Yes |
| planet | Jupiter / Earth | Yes |
| specific person | Ms. Davis / Uncle Joe | Yes |
| historical battle | Battle of Gettysburg / World War II | Yes |
| river | Amazon River / Mississippi | Yes |
| theme park | Disney World / Six Flags | Yes |
Section 3: Editing for Proper Capitalization
- My favorite book is Charlotte’s Web, written by E.B. White.
- The city of Chicago is located near Lake Michigan.
- We celebrated our vacation to France in the month of September.
- Our team’s mascot, a German Shepherd named Max, loves to play fetch.
Section 4: Creative Noun Challenge
(Answers will vary, example provided)
Example 1: My friend, Sarah, bought a new toy at the store called Target.
Example 2: The principal of Highland School assigned a difficult project about the country of Japan.