What Is a Proper Noun? | Definition & Examples


Proper nouns are the unique names of a person, place or thing. Proper nouns are always capitalized in English (the first letter is in capital) Read the full article to learn about proper noun definition, rules and examples. This article covers:

1. What is a proper noun?- definition and examples 

2. How to identify a proper noun?

3. Types of proper nouns

4. Proper noun vs common noun

5. Proper noun capitalization 

6. FAQs - Proper noun 

Pronoun Definition and Examples

Merriam-Webster defines proper nouns as " A noun (such as Seattle, Joyce, or Empire State Building) that designates a particular being or thing, does not take a limiting modifier, and is usually capitalized in English. Also called proper name".

From the definition above, we learn that:

  • A proper noun is also known as proper name.
  • A proper noun names a unique person, place or thing.
  • Articles and determiners aren't usually used before a proper noun.
  • A proper noun is generally capitalized in English.   


Proper Noun Examples:
a. John is my friend.
b. Zurich attracts thousands of visitors.
c. The New York Times is a daily newspaper.

The names or nouns in bold are proper nouns. They are the names of a unique person, place and thing respectively.  

How to Identify a Proper Noun?

To identify a proper noun, keep the following points in mind that a proper noun:
  • is a name of a particular person, place or thing.
  • is always capitalized.
  • does not usually accept any article or determiner.
For example, John is a proper noun. John is a name of a particular person. The first letter of John will always be in capital. It will not usually accept an article or determiner. So we cannot say:
  • john is here. (incorrect)
  • The John is here. (incorrect)
  • That/my John is here. (incorrect)

Types of Proper Nouns

Proper nouns include, but are not limited to the following:
  • Names of People: The names of people such as John, Sofia, Maria etc. are specific; therefore, they come under the category of proper nouns.  
  • Names of Places: The names of places such as America, India, Japan, etc. also come under the category of proper nouns.  
  • Titles of People: The titles of people such as President Abraham Lincoln, Alexander The Great, Khali The Great, etc. are also proper nouns
  • Names of Weekdays: The names of weekdays such as Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and so on are also proper nouns.
  • Names of Months: The names of 12 months such as January, February, March and so on are proper nouns.
  • Names of Brands and Companies: The names of brands and companies such as Facebook, Google, Pizza Hut, etc. are also proper nouns.
  • Title Names of Books, Magazines, Newspapers, Films: The title names of books, magazines, newspapers, films such as Arabian Nights, Reader's Digest, Hindustan Times, Coming to America are proper nouns.
  • Names of Festivals: The names of festivals such as Christmas, Eid, Holi, etc. are also proper nouns.
  • Names of Languages: The names of languages such as English, German, French, etc. are also proper nouns.

Proper Noun VS Common Noun

The major difference between a proper noun and common noun is that a proper noun is a unique name that refers to a unique person, place or thing, while a common noun refers to a common or general name. 

A proper noun, no matter where it is used in a sentence, is capitalized, whereas a common noun is only capitalized when it gets the first position in a sentence. 


Rules of Proper Noun Capitalization

Rule 1: Capitalize a proper noun no matter wherever it falls in a sentence, in the beginning, middle or at the end.

Example: 

Correct: John asked Sofia about her friend Veronica.

Incorrect: John asked sofia about her friend veronica.

Rule 2: Capitalize a proper noun even when it's used as a common noun. 

Example: 

Correct: John is the Newton of our class.

Incorrect: John is the newton of our class.

Rule 3: Do not capitalize names of seasons, general subjects, general titles when they are not used in the beginning of a sentence.

Examples:

Correct: I'll visit my village in winter.

Incorrect: I'll visit my village in Winter.

Correct: I'm a student of physics.

Incorrect: I'm a student of Physics.

Correct: Obama, the president of the US visits Japan next week.

Correct: President Obama visits Japan next week.

Incorrect: Obama, The President of the US visits Japan next week.

Rule 4: Do not capitalize the "sun" and "moon" when they're not referred to as celestial bodies.

Examples:

Correct: I go to cinemas once in a blue moon.

Incorrect: I go to cinemas once in a blue Moon.

Correct: John got out of the room and sat in the sun.

Incorrect: John got out of the room and sat in the Sun.

Rule 5: Words that are made from a proper noun are usually capitalized. 

Examples:

Correct: John is American and his wife is Japanese.

Incorrect: John is american and his wife is japanese.  


Proper Noun FAQs


Proper Noun Definition

A proper noun is a type of noun that refers to a particular person, place or thing. Proper nouns are capitalized no matter where they appear in a sentence. 

Common Noun and Proper Noun

A common noun is a type of noun that refers to a general thing, and is not capitalized except when it's used at the beginning, whereas a proper noun is a type of noun that refers to a unique name of a person, place or thing, and is capitalized.

Is Mom a Proper Noun?

The word "mom" can be used as both a proper noun and a common noun. When it refers to a name or title of a female figure, it's a proper noun and is capitalized otherwise it's a common noun and is not capitalized. 

Examples:

Correct: Let's eat, Mom. 

Incorrect: Let's eat, mom. 

Correct: My mom is with me here.

Incorrect: My Mom is with me here.

Is Name a Proper Noun?

The word "name" is not a proper noun, but the names of people are proper nouns. 

Is Summer a proper Noun?

The words "summer", "winter", "fall", "autumn", "monsoon" are not proper nouns; therefore, they're not capitalized.

Is Earth a Proper Noun?

The word "earth" can be used as both a proper noun and common noun. When it refers to planet, it's a proper noun and capitalized otherwise it's a common noun and not capitalized.

Is Dad a Proper Noun?

The word "dad" can be used as both a proper noun and common noun. When it refers to a title of a person, it's a proper noun and capitalized otherwise it's a common noun and not capitalized.

Is President a Proper Noun?

The word "president" can be both a proper noun and a common noun. When it is a title of a person, it's a proper noun and capitalized otherwise it's a common noun and not capitalized.

Is Jew a Proper Noun?

The words "Jew", "Muslim", "Christian", "Hindu", etc. are proper nouns and thus they're always capitalized

Is Internet a Proper Noun?

The word "Internet" is believed to be a proper noun and is capitalized by some scholars, while others take it for a common noun and do not capitalize.

Is American a Proper Noun?

The word "American" is not a proper noun, but rather it's a proper adjective. Adjectives like this one such as Indian, Japanese, British and so on are capitalized.

Is Friday a Proper Noun?

Yes, the word "Friday" like Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday is a proper noun and capitalized.