Abstract, Material and Concrete Nouns

[abdellatif-boudia]

Abstract, material and concrete nouns

    Noun is a word used as the name of a person, place, thing or a quality.

    Abstract noun is the name given to a quality, a state or a concept. It refers to things that we can neither touch nor see, though we can think of them.

    Abstract noun is a type of common noun.

    We can describe a person using qualities like, brave, strong or wise.

    We can also think of these qualities like bravery, strength and wisdom independent of any particular person or thing.

    Examples:

    - Your sister is a smart girl.

    - Salma Hayek has a strong personality.

    - Mother Teresa was known for her kindness towards people.

    - Honesty is the best policy.

    - Diamond is known for its hardness.

    Concrete noun refers to the name of something or someone that we experience through our senses, sight, hearing, smell, touch or taste. It is a type of common noun.

    Examples:

    - Tania likes to drink milk.

    - She touched his arm and felt so good.

    - He bought a car.

    - Your computer is so fast.

    - The cakes are decorated.

    Material noun is a substance, a material or an ingredient we can see and touch which is used for making things.

    Material noun can be grouped into the following categories :

    - Metals : iron, gold, silver, platinum, …

    - Products measured in bulk : tea, sugar, rice, wheat, …

    - Geological bodies : mud, sand, rock, granite, …

    - Natural phenomena : Rain, dew, cloud, mist, …

    - Items manufactured : rubber, soap, paint, clothes, …

    Examples:

    - This window is made of glass.

    - The rain makes me feel a little bit calm.

    - This cupboard is made of iron.

    - My mother made some delicious honey candies.

    - I love silver rings even more than gold rings.

[chigreyofthenorns]

Thank you for this post. Though I consider myself fluent in English, I still have a hard time remembering all the nitty-gritty of the rules sometimes. Keeping this list of reminders is of great help to me. Thanks!  :grin: