Abstract vs. Concrete Nouns

Concrete Nouns

Concrete nouns name things that can be experienced through the five senses: sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch.

| Sense | Examples | | ------- | ------------------------------- | | Sight | tree, house, car, book | | Hearing | music, thunder, voice, bell | | Smell | perfume, smoke, rose, coffee | | Taste | chocolate, lemon, salt, apple | | Touch | stone, fabric, ice, sand |

The table is made of wood. I can hear the music from the radio.

Abstract Nouns

Abstract nouns name ideas, qualities, emotions, and concepts that cannot be perceived with the senses.

| Category | Examples | | --------- | -------------------------------------- | | Emotions | love, hate, joy, fear, anger | | Qualities | honesty, bravery, kindness, patience | | States | childhood, freedom, poverty, sleep | | Concepts | time, knowledge, truth, justice | | Actions | education, movement, laughter, help |

*Love is the most powerful emotion.* *Honesty is the best policy.*

How Abstract Nouns Are Formed

Many abstract nouns are formed by adding suffixes to adjectives or verbs:

| Suffix | Adjective / Verb | Abstract Noun | | ------ | ---------------- | ------------- | | -ness | happy | happiness | | -ity | active | activity | | -tion | educate | education | | -ment | achieve | achievement | | -ance | important | importance | | -ence | intelligent | intelligence | | -th | strong | strength | | -ship | friend | friendship |

The Blurred Line

Some nouns can be both concrete and abstract depending on context:

• *Art is important.* (abstract: the concept)
• She bought a piece of art. (concrete: a painting)

Try classifying each noun in this sentence:

The teacher shared her knowledge with great patience and a smile.