Intangible concepts, or objects that are not visible through the five senses, are represented by abstract nouns. Since you can’t touch or see abstract terms like love, time, beauty, and science, they are all considered abstract. Abstract nouns can be challenging to define using grammatical rules when they lack a concrete frame of reference. We go over the fundamentals in this brief education so you can start using abstract nouns with ease!
What is an Abstract Noun?
Concepts, ideas, experiences, characteristics, emotions, or things that are not visible, noticeable, tasteable, smelly, or physical are referred to as abstract nouns. Nouns that are abstract are neither tangible nor concrete. Proverbs use a lot of abstract nouns, or virtues.
Definition of an Abstract Noun
“A noun, such as beauty or freedom, that refers to an idea or a general quality, not to a physical object,” is the definition of an abstract noun.
Examples:
- Dedication
- Liberty
- Future
- Friendship
- Energy
- Death
- Failure
- Interest
- Luxury
- Pain
- Pleasure
- Satisfaction
- Misery
- Determination
- Hate
- Indifference
- Joy
Formation of Abstract Nouns
A lot of abstract nouns are created from verbs, adjectives, or other nouns. Here’s how
Abstract Nouns from Verbs
- Move – movement
- Reflect – reflection
- Perceive – perception
- Conscious – Consciousness
- Appear – Appearance
- Resist – Resistance
- Appoint – appointment
- Enjoy – enjoyment
- Assign – assignment
- Inform – information
- Decide – decision
- Describe – description
- Determine – determination
- Block – blockade
Abstract Nouns from Adjectives
- Brave – bravery
- Truth – truthful
- Honest – honesty
- Weak – weakness
- Happy – happiness
- Sad – sadness
- Mad – madness
- Responsible – responsibility
- Possible – possibility
- Probable – probability
- Able – ability
- Independent – independence
- Free – freedom
- Silent – silence
Abstract Nouns from Other Nouns
- Child — Childhood
- Friend — Friendship
- Leader — Leadership
- Brother — Brotherhood
- Mother — Motherhood
How to Employ Abstract Nouns in Phrases
Abstract nouns are often used as subjects or objects in sentences. Let’s look at some examples:
1. As a Subject
- Wisdom is more valuable than gold.
- Honesty is respected everywhere.
- Success requires hard work.
2. As an Object
- She showed great kindness to strangers.
- They fought for their freedom.
- He gained confidence after practice.
Common Mistakes with Abstract Nouns
While using abstract nouns, some common mistakes can occur. Here are a few to avoid:
1. Confusing Abstract and Concrete Nouns
- Incorrect: I can touch happiness.
- Correct: I can feel happiness.
2. Using Abstract Nouns Without Context
- Incorrect: Kindness is important. (This is correct but lacks context.)
- Better: Kindness towards others makes the world a better place.
3. Overusing Abstract Nouns
Too many abstract nouns in a sentence can make it unclear.
- Confusing: The happiness, wisdom, and bravery of the king inspired people.
- Better: The king’s bravery inspired people, and his wisdom brought happiness to his kingdom.
[highlight color=”red”]Abstract Nouns Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)[/highlight]
1. Which of the following is an abstract noun?
A) Table
B) Courage
C) Book
D) Chair
2. Which sentence correctly uses an abstract noun?
A) The dog barked loudly.
B) She showed great kindness to the stranger.
C) The car is red.
D) The tree is tall.
3. Which of the following words is NOT an abstract noun?
A) Honesty
B) Freedom
C) Apple
D) Bravery
4. Which abstract noun represents an emotion?
A) Democracy
B) Wisdom
C) Happiness
D) Childhood
5. Which abstract noun is formed from the adjective “wise”?
A) Wisdom
B) Wisely
C) Wiser
D) Wiseness
6. Identify the abstract noun in the sentence: “His bravery saved many lives.”
A) His
B) Bravery
C) Saved
D) Lives
7. Which of these is an example of an abstract noun referring to a state or condition?
A) Laptop
B) Friendship
C) Orange
D) Guitar
8. What is the abstract noun in the sentence: “She admired his intelligence”?
A) She
B) Admired
C) Intelligence
D) His
9. Which of the following sentences contains an abstract noun?
A) The baby slept peacefully.
B) The beauty of the sunset was breathtaking.
C) The clock is on the wall.
D) He bought a new laptop.
10. Which of the following is an abstract noun derived from a verb?
A) Friend
B) Friendship
C) Run
D) Running
Answers:
-
B) Courage
-
B) She showed great kindness to the stranger.
-
C) Apple
-
C) Happiness
-
A) Wisdom
-
B) Bravery
-
B) Friendship
-
C) Intelligence
-
B) The beauty of the sunset was breathtaking.
-
B) Friendship
