Abstract Noun Definition

In general language, nouns represent things which include people, places, objects, and ideas. but all the things we cannot deal with everything like ideas, emotions, personality, eager traits also, and even philosophical concepts the people cannot sense or feel them, so it is called an abstract noun.

Abstract Noun Definition

What is an Abstract Noun?

An abstract noun is a particular noun that replies to something immaterial and abstract. The idea that abstract nouns relate to things that cannot be experienced through the five senses is another typical approach to viewing them. Abstract nouns are intangible; you can't see, smell, hear, taste, or touch them. Abstract nouns are used to describe ethereal concepts that don't have a physical counterpart.

For instance, the term "dog" denotes a cuddly animal. A dog is visible and reachable. The dog is a concrete noun, not an abstract one. Contrarily, luck encompasses a nuanced notion of how likely someone will experience good or poor luck.

How Can We Teach Anyone About Abstract Noun?

Although it may take some time for youngsters to grasp the concept, educating them about abstract nouns does not have to be difficult. Here are some excellent recommendations from Australian instructors on how to assist your children in getting familiar with and recognizing them. Introduce the label of abstract words to youngsters later in their primary school lives. This way, they'll already have a plethora of abstract nouns that they regularly use without even realizing it. Take youngsters through a step-by-step procedure that explains how to recognize abstract nouns, such as the one listed above. This will come in handy the next time they encounter an unknown term. Give them plenty of examples to help them understand what an abstract noun is and to help them recognize common nouns.it is not very difficult to learn about abstract noun

Few Examples

Time, circumstance, existence, death, anarchy, law, democracy, relief, opportunity, technology, discovery, hopelessness, defeat, friendship, patience, decay, holiness, youth, childhood, Stoicism, Marxism, Development, resistance, motherhood etc.

Types of Abstract Nouns

Various categories of abstract nouns are often used in English. These are a few instances:

  • Emotions: An emotion is a feeling or mood, such as love, happiness, sadness, wrath, fear, or enthusiasm.
  • Ideas: Concepts or ideas, such as democracy, justice, equality, freedom, development, and recreation, are denoted by these abstract nouns.
  • Qualities: These amorphous words denote traits or qualities like integrity, courage, intellect, compassion, and loyalty.
  • States and Conditions: These abstract terms, such as health, well-being, poverty, wealth, and security, describe the state or condition of something.
  • Actions: These abstract words designate activities or processes like collaboration, cooperation, and negotiation.
  • Time: These amorphous terms, like eternity and instant, pertain to instantaneous time to ideas about time.

Formation of Abstract Noun

In terms of the suffixes they finished with (such as "-ness" and "-ism"), many (though not all) of the examples provided in the preceding section followed a few distinct patterns.

This is because abstract nouns can be created in various conventional ways from adjectives, verbs, and other nouns. In the table below, common approaches to creating abstract nouns are listed.

SuffixRoot WordsAbstract Noun
-acneDisappearDisappearance
-actionCollabCollaboration
-enceIndependentIndependence
-hoodAdultAdulthood
-ionInductInduction
-ismNationalNationalism
-mentBaseBasement
-nessBrightBrightness
-shipLeaderLeadership

Conversion of Abstract Noun from Adjective

AdjectivesAbstract Noun
HappyHappiness
KindKindness
AbleAbility
AngryAnger
PolitePoliteness
BeautifulBeauty
FreeFreedom

Conversion of Abstract Noun from Verb

VerbsAbstract Noun
EnjoyEnjoyment
PresentPresence
AbsentAbsence
InformInformation
EnterEntrance
ImproveImprovement
InvestInvestment

As we all know, an abstract word can relate to a feeling, concept, experience, circumstance, or characteristic. We must look for nouns that cannot be seen, touched, or felt to recognize an abstract noun in a phrase. Here are a few more instances of phrases with abstract nouns.

  • I can function well under pressure.
  • Joy and grief live next door to one another.
  • We mostly watched cartoons as children.
  • Please offer a recommendation on this.
  • I am confident in the investment.
  • News of his passing stunned me.
  • There are several benefits and drawbacks to using social media,
  • Money cannot purchase pleasure for us.
  • She is being put to the test by the interviewer.
  • Day and night are caused by the earth's rotation around the sun.
  • Many concepts, ideas, and even ideals can be covered by abstract nouns.
  • Teamwork - There is a strong sense of camaraderie among the team members.
  • Hospitality - I appreciate the kindness you have shown to my family.
  • Sensitivity - This subject needs to be handled with great care.
  • Education - Nothing can replace a top-notch education.
  • Tact - When talking about delicate topics, tact is crucial.

Difference Between Countable and Uncountable Abstract Noun

Thus, the countability or uncountability of an abstract noun determines whether an article (a, an, the) or a quantifier (few, many) must come before the abstract word. Depending on the context, the majority of abstract nouns might either be countable or uncountable. The abstract noun is uncountable and does not need an article or a quantifier if it has a more comprehensive, global meaning. The best rule is always to be honest. In this sentence, "honesty" is being discussed both as a concept and in general. There is no need for an article or a quantifier because it is not an individual honesty event. An abstract noun becomes a countable noun and calls for an article or a quantifier if it alludes to something specific.

How Do We Utilize Abstract Nouns?

Abstract terms are ambiguous. Everyone interprets what they signify differently since they are a term for thoughts and concepts we cannot perceive in the real world. We regularly use ethereal terms to describe our feelings in daily life. Words like "love," "hate," "anger," "sadness," and "peace" are examples of abstract nouns. We can utilize them to communicate our feelings to one another since everyone is aware of what they mean. Yet, using abstract terms in writing may cause misunderstanding. Consider the concept of "happiness," for instance. What may make you happy may not be the same as what may make someone else happy. It suggests that you'll each have your notion of what it is to be happy.

Conclusion

Abstract nouns have the drawback of frequently being unclear. Everyone has a unique view of how and what they are because we cannot see them. Every "viewer," just as "beauty is in the perception of the viewer," defines beauty differently. As a result, effective writing frequently combines real examples with abstract concepts to reflect the issue. Using specific instances, we may illustrate our points and encourage readers to adopt our viewpoint when interpreting events instead of their own. For instance, you would be good to add specific jobs like a doctor, mechanic, or proofreader if you were writing essays about the significance of choosing a career.






Latest Courses