Abstract Noun Worksheets, Definition, and Examples

What are abstract nouns?

It’s important to understand the role of abstract nouns in language, especially when helping our children with their language development. At first, reading the word “abstract” may make you think that abstract nouns are a difficult concept to understand. But, they are just words that express intangible concepts such as emotions, ideas, and qualities, which cannot be physically perceived through our five senses. In contrast, concrete nouns refer to physical objects, people, and places that can be sensed.

For instance, we can touch a tree, taste a hamburger, smell a rose, see a car, or hear a trumpet, so these are concrete nouns. On the other hand, happiness, fear, and love are abstract nouns because they cannot be physically perceived. These abstract nouns play an important role in language, as they allow us to communicate our thoughts, emotions, and experiences with others.

Let’s look at another example: Can I actually sense or touch a flag? Yes, so it is a concrete noun. We can touch the material, feel it and observe it. What about joy? Can we touch Joy? Can we taste or see or smell Joy? No, this is an abstract noun. How about regret? We can’t touch it. We might feel it. That makes it an emotion, which is an abstract noun.

There are different types of abstract nouns including emotions, ideas, and qualities. Emotions such as happiness, sadness, and anger describe feelings, while ideas like freedom, justice, and equality describe concepts. Qualities such as kindness, honesty, and bravery describe traits or characteristics of a person or thing.

Interestingly, abstract nouns can also be formed from adjectives and verbs. For example, the adjective “happy” can become the abstract noun “happiness,” and the verb “to love” can become the abstract noun “love.” This process is called nominalization and helps us describe complex ideas and experiences in a more concise and precise way.

In conclusion, abstract nouns play an important role in our language, allowing us to express intangible concepts and enrich our conversations. From the abstract noun “love” to the abstract noun “fear,” these words allow us to delve into the depths of our feelings and imagination. Encouraging students to explore and use abstract nouns can broaden their language skills, open up new ways of expressing themselves, and allow them to better appreciate and understand books they read.