Common nouns are not capitalized—they are general terms for people, places, things, or ideas (e.g., “father,” “village,” “pencil,” “envy”). Proper nouns, in contrast, are always capitalized.
A common noun can name something concrete (e.g., “infant”) or abstract (e.g., “love”), including types of living organisms, inanimate objects, and intangible concepts.
Examples: Common nounsThe squirrel narrowly escaped the owl by hiding in the bushes.
In his desperation, he considered the possibility of leaving the country.
Now an old man, Bill was proud to see his grandson take over the company.
Published on
December 17, 2024
by
Magedah Shabo
Revised on
January 20, 2025
Proper nouns are capitalized nouns that name specific, identifiable people, places, things, and sometimes concepts (e.g., “Brian,” “London,” “Kleenex,” “the Middle Ages”).
Examples of proper nouns include first names and surnames, brand and organizational names, and regional names (e.g., cities, provinces, states, counties, countries). The titles of creative works, including visual art, literature, news publications, television shows, films, podcasts, and musical works, are also proper nouns.
Examples: Proper nounsShe reminisced on her childhood in Cape Town.
The Paris Review published an interview with my favorite author.
His role in The Producers was arguably Gene Wilder’s funniest performance.
“One,” released on the 1991 album Achtung Baby, is one of U2’s most popular songs.
Published on
July 23, 2024
by
Magedah Shabo
Revised on
September 24, 2024
Weasel words are expressions that create ambiguity, allowing the speaker to avoid making firm commitments or statements. These words often make claims sound impressive while remaining vague and non-committal.
Weasel words examplesThis cream helps reduce the appearance of wrinkles.
Studies suggest that taking Vitamin C supplements could lead to less severe illness.
Many people say the economy has improved since I took office.
Weasel words are especially common in persuasive contexts like marketing, advertising, and politics. They are best avoided, though, if you want to establish credibility with your audience.
QuillBot’s Paraphraser can help you choose the appropriate vocabulary for your writing.
Published on
June 28, 2024
by
Magedah Shabo
Revised on
February 13, 2025
Transitive verbs are verbs that require a direct object to complete their meaning. The direct object (which can be a noun, pronoun, or noun phrase) receives the action of the verb.
For example, the sentence “The builder constructed a new house” would not make sense without the direct object, “a new house.”
Intransitive verbs, in contrast, do not require a direct object to complete their meaning. They express a complete action without an object. For example, the verb “sleep” makes sense without an object (e.g., “The children slept”).
Ambitransitive verbs are verbs that can be used with or without a direct object, depending on the context (e.g., “sing,” “read,” “eat”).
Published on
June 28, 2024
by
Magedah Shabo
Revised on
November 7, 2024
Concrete nouns name people, places, and things that we can perceive with our five senses.
Not limited to solid or tangible objects that you could theoretically touch, concrete nouns can also name anything that can be heard (e.g., “symphony”), seen (e.g., “sunlight”), tasted (e.g., “sourness”), or felt without being touched (e.g., “heat”). Words such as “spaceship,” “Mariana Trench,” “amoeba,” and “Jeffrey” are all concrete nouns.
In contrast, abstract nouns describe mental constructs. These include feelings, frameworks, and concepts that cannot be directly perceived, such as “fascination,” “sleepiness,” “Pareto principle,” and “motif.”
Examples: Concrete nounsVisitors to Loch Ness claim to have seen a monster.
Published on
June 28, 2024
by
Magedah Shabo
Revised on
February 13, 2025
Intransitive verbs are verbs that don’t take a direct object (a noun, pronoun, or noun phrase that receives the action of a verb). For example, “exist” is an intransitive verb, as it’s not possible to “exist” something.
In contrast, a transitive verb is one that does require a direct object. A sentence that uses the verb “examined,” for instance, would not make sense without specifying who or what receives the action of the verb (e.g., “Mary examined the manuscript”). Depending on the context in which they’re used, some verbs can function as either transitive or intransitive verbs.
Examples: Intransitive verbs in a sentencePhilip cringed.