What Is a Common Noun? | Examples & Definition

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 nouns
The 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.

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What Is an Abstract Noun? | Definition, Examples & Quiz

Abstract nouns name mental constructs that are imperceptible to the five senses (e.g., “concern,” “existentialism,” “democracy,” “ancestry”).

In contrast, concrete nouns name people, places, or things that can be perceived physically.

Examples: Abstract nouns
Genealogy is fascinating.

The changing seasons usher in new fashion trends.

In today’s class we’ll discuss the final chapter.

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What Is a Proper Noun? | Definition & Examples

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 nouns
She 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.

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What Are Weasel Words? | Examples & Definition

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 examples
This 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.

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Denying the Antecedent | Examples & Definition

Denying the antecedent is the error of assuming that if the initial condition (P) is not met, the expected result (Q) won’t occur either.

This logical fallacy is expressed as follows:

Denying the antecedent fallacy example
  • If it is snowing, then it is cold outside.
  • It is not snowing.
  • Therefore, it is not cold outside.

The logical fallacy of denying the antecedent is typically found in domains that involve formal logical reasoning, such as math, science, and law.

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Affirming the Consequent | Examples & Definition

Affirming the consequent is the logical fallacy of assuming a particular cause must be true just because its expected outcome is true.

The formula for affirming the consequent is as follows:

Affirming the consequent fallacy example
  • If I am sick, then I will feel fatigued.
  • I feel fatigued.
  • Therefore, I am sick.

The fallacy of affirming the consequent is typically found in contexts such as formal logic, law, and mathematics.

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What Is a Transitive Verb? | Examples, Definition & Quiz

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”).

Transitive verbs examples
Beethoven composed piano sonatas.

The medics administer life-saving treatments.

The chef carefully lifted the plate.

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What Is a Concrete Noun? | Examples, Definition & Quiz

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 nouns
Visitors to Loch Ness claim to have seen a monster.

My cat thinks my keyboard is a bed.

Pietr enjoyed the sun but also loved the rain.

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What Is an Intransitive Verb? | Examples, Definition & Quiz

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 sentence
Philip cringed.

Madeline sneezes often.

Renate is jogging along the path.

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What Is a Present Participle? | Definition & Examples

The present participle form of a verb can be used in two ways: as an adjective or as part of a progressive verb tense.

Every present participle ends in “-ing” (this includes both regular verbs and irregular verbs).

Present participle examples 
Rubin found linguistics to be a fascinating subject.

Being a bit naughty, the children snuck into the movie theater.

We would love to attend, but we’re competing in a race that day.

I’ve been having vivid dreams lately.

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