Concrete Noun vs. Material Noun: What's the Difference?
As English language learners, it's
important to understand the different types of nouns, including concrete nouns
and material nouns. These two types of nouns may seem similar at first, but
they have distinct differences in meaning and usage. In this article, we'll
explore the definitions of concrete and material nouns, provide examples of
each, and explain how to use them correctly in sentences.
Table of Contents
·
What
are Concrete Nouns?
·
Examples
of Concrete Nouns
·
Types
of Concrete Nouns
·
What
are Material Nouns?
·
Examples
of Material Nouns
·
How
to Use Concrete and Material Nouns in Sentences
·
Common
Mistakes with Concrete and Material Nouns
·
Practice
Exercises for Concrete and Material Nouns
·
Conclusion
·
FAQs
What are Concrete Nouns?
Concrete
nouns are things that can be physically seen, touched, smelled, tasted, or
heard. They are tangible objects that we can perceive with our senses. Concrete
nouns can be common or proper nouns and can be countable or uncountable.
Examples of Concrete Nouns
·
Chair
·
Car
·
Dog
·
Pizza
·
Music
·
Mountain
Types of Concrete Nouns
There
are several types of concrete nouns, including:
1.
Common
Nouns: Everyday objects, such as table, phone, and book.
2.
Proper
Nouns: Specific names of people, places, or things, such as John, London, and
Coca-Cola.
3.
Collective
Nouns: Words used to describe a group of people or things, such as family,
team, and flock.
4.
Compound
Nouns: Nouns made up of two or more words, such as toothbrush, skateboard, and
swimming pool.
What are Material Nouns?
Material
nouns, also known as substance nouns, are things that are not physical objects,
but rather the materials or substances that objects are made of. Material nouns
can be countable or uncountable and are typically used in scientific or
technical contexts.
Examples of Material Nouns
·
Wood
·
Steel
·
Plastic
·
Oxygen
·
Water
·
Sand
Material nouns are often used in
conjunction with adjectives to describe the specific type or quality of the
material. For example, "steel" can be described as
"stainless" or "corroded," and "water" can be
described as "pure" or "dirty."
How to Use Concrete and Material
Nouns in Sentences
When
using concrete nouns in a sentence, it's important to remember to use them as
subjects, objects, or complements. For example:
·
Subject:
The dog chased the cat.
·
Object:
She ate the pizza.
·
Complement:
The mountain was covered in snow.
When using material nouns in a
sentence, it's important to use them as adjectives to describe the object
they're associated with. For example:
·
The
wooden chair was sturdy.
·
The
plastic bottle was recycled.
Common Mistakes with Concrete and
Material Nouns
One
common mistake with concrete nouns is using them in plural form when they are
uncountable. For example, "furniture" is uncountable, so it should
not be used as "furnitures." Instead, use "pieces of furniture"
or "types of furniture."
Another common mistake with material
nouns is using them as concrete nouns. For example, "steel" is a
material noun, so it should not be used as "a steel."