Rules of Noun In English Grammar: In the English language, Noun plays a crucial role in sentence structure and communication. Understanding the rules of nouns is essential for effective communication and writing. Whether you are a student learning grammar for the first time or a professional looking to improve your writing skills, this article will provide a comprehensive guide on the rules of nouns in English grammar.
From singular and plural forms to possessive nouns, this article covers all the key concepts you need to know to master the use of nouns in the English language. With clear explanations and examples, you’ll learn how to use nouns correctly in various contexts and improve your overall grammar and writing abilities.
Rules of Noun
Also Read: What is a Noun? Definition, Types & Examples
Rules of Noun with Examples
Rule 1:
Some nouns, like humans, animals, and police, are singular in meaning but are always employed as plural nouns and take plural verbs.
- Police reach late at the crime spot always.
- The cattle are following the cowboy.
Rule 2:
Some nouns always take the plural verb and are used in the plural form, things like scissors, premises, appreciation, spectacles, etc.
- Where are my Spectacles?
- The scissors are on the table.
Rule 3:
Some nouns, such as news, ethics, machinery, advice, stationery, physics, mathematics, etc., always take the singular verb.
- Physics is my favourite subject of all.
- The girl’s suicide is not what it looks like.
Rule 4:
Some nouns imply the number, measure, money, length, weight, etc. When a definite numeral comes before these nouns, they remain singular, and when an indefinite numeral is used they become plural.
- I have 3 dozen bananas with me.
- My school is several kilometres away from my home.
Rule 5:
Both the singular and plural forms of collective nouns can be used.
- The government is not showing any interest to stop the protest.
- The jury was in disagreement about the verdict.
Rule 6:
Some nouns have different meanings when used in different numbers.
- It is good and bad in everything. [Virtue]
- Pack all the goods as soon as possible. [Possessions]
- He had absolute authority over his subordinates. [Control]
- Authorities denied answering the queries. [Persons in power]
Rule 7:
Usually, material nouns do not have an article (such as a, an, or the) preceding them.
- I like gold and not silver. [Incorrect]
- I like gold and not silver. [Correct]
Rule 8:
A few nouns that are considered to be graceful, lovely, and soft, such as the moon, the earth, nature, spring, nations, and ships, are considered feminine nouns. Some words, such as the sun, time, winter, wind, summer, thunder, ocean, war, and wine, are classified as masculine because they denote strength, firmness, and activity.
- The sun stretched his golden arms climbing above the mountains.
- Death is the mother of Beauty.
Rule 9:
Even though a work of art or a book’s title sounds plural, it is nevertheless always regarded as singular.
- “The Palace of Illusions” is a great work of literature.
- “The Game of Thrones” has one of the greatest CGI effects of all TV series.
Rule 10:
The neuter gender is used when referring to small animals, insects, or very young children.
- The bug is coming and going in the room.
- The baby is crying since we boarded the train.
Rule 11:
There are certain nouns that have the same form in both the singular and plural, such as deer, sheep, series of fish, crew, team, jury, aircraft, and counsel.
- The crew was great with us.
- The crew were responsible for the mishap.
Rule 12:
In spite of referring to living beings, collective nouns are treated as neuter gender and are followed by the pronoun “it” mostly.
- The army is preparing for its exercise.
- The band has got its first contract.
So, here were all the rules you need to know about nouns in order to solve the question from the topic seamlessly. All you need to do now is a practice as much as you can, and the marks are yours.
Frequently Asked Questions-
1. In a sentence, can a noun serve as an adjective?
Yеs, nouns can serve as adjectives to modify other nouns in a sentence. As an illustration, thе word “book” serves as an adjective showing thе kind of cover in thе phrase “book cover, “. Attributivе nouns are precisely what they are.
2. Is there a possessive exception to thе rule?
Yes, thе possessivе rulе includes some exceptions. You can use ‘s’ or just an apostrophe for single nouns ending in “s”. Both “Chris’s car” and “James car” are accepted as acceptablе answers.
3. Is “it” a noun?
“It” is not a noun but a pronoun and is used to refer to a thing or an animal without specifying its gеndеr. For еxamplе, “Thе cat lost its toy. “
4. Can you combinе a singlе verb with a plural noun?
No, according to English grammar, a singular noun must always be associated with a singular verb and a plural noun with a plural verb. In this context, both “thе dogs arе playing” (plural noun with plural verb) and “the dog is playing” (single noun with singular verb) arе phrases that use thе word “play. “
5. How can I bеtter undеrstand and use rules of noun in sentences?
Training is crucial. Try to adapt thе rules you observe in different English-language readings and listenings to your speaking and writing. Furthermore, GeeksforGeeks providеs you thе articles of rules, practice questions and frequently asked questions separately for better understanding.