Proper nouns: What they are and what they do

ByELT Admin February 27, 2025April 1, 2025

Have you ever wondered what makes a name like “New York” or “Shakespeare” stand out in a sentence? The answer lies in proper nouns. These special words do more than just label people, places, or things—they bring precision and personality to our language. In this exploration, we’ll dive into what proper nouns are, how they function, and why they’re essential for clear communication.

What they are

A proper noun is a noun that identifies a particular person, place, or thing.
This sets them apart from common nouns, which are general names.
A key characteristic of proper nouns is that they are always capitalized in English.

What they do

Provide specificity
- They allow us to pinpoint exact entities. Instead of saying “a city,” we can say “London.” Instead of “a person,” we can say “Marie Curie.”
Create clarity
- Proper nouns eliminate ambiguity. They make it clear which specific person, place, or thing is being referred to.
Examples:
- People: John Smith, Albert Einstein, Queen Victoria
- Places: Paris, the Eiffel Tower, the Amazon River, Canada
- Organizations: Google, United Nations, Red Cross
- Days and Months: Monday, January
- Holidays: Christmas, Thanksgiving
- Brands: Nike, Coca-Cola

In essence, proper nouns give unique names to things, helping us to be precise in our communication.

In summary

In the end, proper nouns are the unsung heroes of language, transforming vague ideas into vivid realities. By naming specific individuals, locations, and entities—like “Tokyo” or “Leonardo da Vinci”—they anchor our words with clarity and meaning. Whether you’re navigating a conversation or crafting a story, proper nouns ensure that the who, what, and where are never left up to guesswork. Curious to learn more? The world of nouns—proper, common, and beyond—awaits!

For continued learning: