GV

Abstract and Concrete Nouns

Distinguishing between abstract (love, freedom) and concrete (table, dog) nouns

beginner

When to Use Abstract and Concrete Nouns

  • •Concrete nouns: things you can see/touch/hear/smell/taste: table, dog, music
  • •Abstract nouns: ideas, feelings, qualities: love, freedom, happiness
  • •Concrete nouns are usually countable: a chair, two books
  • •Abstract nouns are often uncountable: happiness, information
  • •Some nouns can be both: 'a beauty' (person) vs 'beauty' (concept)

How to Form Abstract and Concrete Nouns

Affirmative (+)

Use like any noun—subject, object, etc.

Negative (-)

N/A

Question (?)

N/A

💡 Abstract nouns often come from adjectives (happy → happiness) or verbs (develop → development).

Examples of Abstract and Concrete Nouns

✓Happiness is important. (abstract, uncountable)

✗A happiness is important.

Abstract nouns used generally don't take 'a/an'.

✓The table is made of wood. (concrete)

✗Table is made of wood.

Specific concrete nouns need articles.

✓She showed great courage. (abstract)

✗She showed a great courage.

Abstract nouns with adjectives often don't need 'a'.

Common Mistakes with Abstract and Concrete Nouns

💡 Practice Tips for Abstract and Concrete Nouns

  • • Concrete: can you touch/see/hear it? → usually countable
  • • Abstract: is it an idea/feeling/quality? → often uncountable
  • • Common abstract nouns: love, hate, freedom, justice, beauty, truth
  • • Abstract from adjectives: -ness (happiness), -ity (creativity), -ment (excitement)
  • • Some work both ways: 'light' (concrete: a light) vs 'light' (abstract: light and darkness)
Quick Quiz
  1. 1.Can you give me  ?
  2. 2.She has a lot of   about ancient history.
  3. 3.  is the most important thing in life.
  4. 4.Which sentence is correct? 
  5. Question 5: The blank (chair, concrete plural) in this room are all wooden.
    5.The (chair, concrete plural) in this room are all wooden.
  6. Question 6: I need blank (information, abstract uncountable) about the train timetable.
    6.I need (information, abstract uncountable) about the train timetable.
  7. Question 7: Many abstract nouns end in -ness; for example, the noun from 'happy' is blank.
    7.Many abstract nouns end in -ness; for example, the noun from 'happy' is .
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