Common and Proper Nouns — Answer Key
Part A: Sort the Words
Sort each word or number into the correct category box.
1. Read each word. Sort it into the correct group: common noun or proper noun.
Common Noun
storeholidayfriend Proper Noun
WalmartHalloweenJulia Store, holiday, and friend each name something general, so they are common nouns with no capital letter. Walmart, Halloween, and Julia each name one specific store, day, or person, which makes them proper nouns.
Part B: Fill in the Blank
Write the missing word or number on each line.
1. The word "holiday" is a common noun because it names any holiday.
The word holiday is a general label for any special day off. Because it does not name one specific holiday, it is a common noun.
2. The name "Julia" is a proper noun because it names one special person.
Julia is the name of one specific girl, not girls in general. Names of specific people are always proper nouns and begin with a capital J.
3. Proper nouns must always start with a capital letter.
The capital letter is how we show a noun is special and names a specific thing. Without the capital, the word would just be a common noun.
4. The word "Halloween" is a proper noun because it names one special holiday.
Halloween is one specific holiday that happens every October 31. Because it names a particular holiday, it is a proper noun and starts with a capital H.
5. Words like "table" and "chair" are common nouns.
Table and chair can mean any table or any chair in the world. Since they do not name one specific item, they are both common nouns.
Part C: True or False?
Read each statement. Circle True or False.
1. The word "July" is a proper noun.
True False
True. July is the name of one specific month of the year. Month names are proper nouns and always start with a capital letter.
2. The word "house" is a proper noun.
True False
False. The word house can mean any house on any street. Since it does not name one specific house, it is a common noun.
3. Names of holidays are proper nouns.
True False
True. Holiday names like Thanksgiving or Easter each refer to one specific celebration, which makes them proper nouns with capital letters.
4. Common nouns name one specific person or place.
True False
False. Common nouns are general words like boy or park. It is proper nouns, like Jacob or Central Park, that name one specific person or place.