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Abstract Nouns vs. Concrete Nouns Explained

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Abstract vs. concrete nouns. By Grammarflex.

Abstract nouns vs. concrete nouns

As we have learned by now, nouns name all sorts of things, many of which are easily perceivable by our senses.

👍🏼Usage Note
Abstract noun: I felt a surge of happiness when I heard the good news.
Concrete noun: The dog chased the ball across the yard.

Books, pens, tables and puppies are all things we can see and feel because they are physical things that (that occupy time and space), which we can count.

  • Physical items and objects are concrete nouns in grammar, and most use singular and plural forms.
  • Abstract nouns, by contrast, name non-physical things, such as emotions (“sadness”), ideas and concepts (e.g., “democracy”, “justice”), or states we experience (“motherhood”, “childhood”). Abstract nouns stay singular in form.

Because abstract nouns are ideas and emotions that are not perceivable to us by the senses, and exist in an uncountable form, they stay singular.

Which is why ‘you have a lot of knowledge’ is incorrect, whereas ‘you are knowledgeable’ is correct.

Because concrete nouns represent physical objects, places or people, they use both singular and plural forms.

Forming abstract nouns

Abstract nouns are formed from adjectives, verbs, and nouns. See the common suffixes tied to the end of the word:

Root Word + Suffix Abstract Noun
noun + hood motherhood, adulthood, childhood
noun + ship ownership, relationship, friendship
verb + ment punishment, development, government
adj. + ness dryness, sadness, bitterness, abjectness

Abstract nouns might end in suffixes:

Suffix Examples
-y, -ty, or -ity joy, beauty, responsibility
-ion, -tion, -sion, or -ation collection, destruction, admission, admiration
-ence, -cy, or -ice intelligence, agency, advice
💡Study Tip

To distinguish between abstract and concrete nouns, ask yourself if you can physically touch or see it. If not, it’s likely an abstract noun.
Consider the noun’s typical grammatical usage—is it usually singular or does it have both singular and plural forms?

Countable vs. uncountable nouns

Just as traits like kindness and bravery cannot be physically counted, there are certain substances and masses in the world that are also uncountable.Water, oil, sand and gold are substances that exist in mass and are too plentiful to be counted (or simply defy being counted).

Uncountable Nouns, also called Mass Nouns, refer to things in the world such as sand, rice and air that are either too plentiful or exist in a state that cannot be counted. Like most abstract nouns, uncountable or mass nouns stay singular and have no plural noun form. They’re referred to only as a singular noun.

Mass nouns stay singular because they don’t exist in a form that allows them to be counted, but they are not necessarily the same as abstract nouns.

Abstract nouns are singular because they are conceptual and nonphysical; mass nouns stay singular because they are not in a form that is possible to count. See the difference?

Learn more about nouns

Worksheet: Abstract vs. concrete nouns

Question 1 of 10

Nouns that are easily perceivable by our senses are known as:



Why do abstract nouns typically stay singular?



Which of the following is an abstract noun?



Which category does “California” fall under?



Which of these sentences is correct?



You brave.





FAQs

What are concrete nouns?
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Concrete nouns name physical things you can perceive with your senses, like books, pens, tables, and puppies. They occupy time and space. Most concrete nouns have both singular and plural forms.

What are abstract nouns?
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Abstract nouns name non-physical things not perceivable by your senses. Examples include emotions (sadness), ideas (justice), and states (childhood). The word ‘abstract’ means ‘pulled away from’.

Are abstract nouns singular or plural?
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Abstract nouns, for the most part, do not have a plural form and remain singular. This is because they name concepts, ideas, or emotions that cannot be physically counted, like knowledge or freedom.

Can abstract nouns be counted?
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Most abstract nouns are unable to be physically counted because they lack a physical presence. Concrete nouns are countable as they represent physical items. Abstract nouns generally stay singular.

How are abstract nouns formed?
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Abstract nouns are often formed from adjectives, verbs, or common nouns by adding suffixes. Examples from the post include motherhood (from mother), ownership (from owner), punishment (from.

Yash, D. "Abstract Nouns vs. Concrete Nouns Explained." Grammarflex, Jul 15, 2025, https://www.grammarflex.com/abstract-nouns-vs-concrete-nouns/.

Sources

  1. High School English and Grammar Composition, P.C. Wren.

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