proper and common nouns - ESL worksheet by bluedress - Free Printable

Let's solve the worksheet step by step.

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Part 1: Find the proper noun in each sentence.

Proper nouns are specific names of people, places, organizations, or things and are always capitalized.

1. The bicycle belongs to Mike.
→ *Mike* (a person’s name)
✔ Proper noun: Mike

2. We will go to Mexico on our vacation.
→ *Mexico* (a country)
✔ Proper noun: Mexico

3. The name of the bridge is, Trolley.
→ *Trolley* (the name of a specific bridge)
✔ Proper noun: Trolley

4. What time is Harry supposed to come?
→ *Harry* (a person’s name)
✔ Proper noun: Harry

5. Please, turn on the light, Roger.
→ *Roger* (a person’s name)
✔ Proper noun: Roger

6. My favourite city is Chicago.
→ *Chicago* (a city)
✔ Proper noun: Chicago

7. Let's go to Africa next summer.
→ *Africa* (a continent)
✔ Proper noun: Africa

8. If I had a boat I would name it, Breeze.
→ *Breeze* (a name given to a specific boat)
✔ Proper noun: Breeze

9. They always read a magazine called, "Pets".
→ *"Pets"* (the title of a specific magazine)
✔ Proper noun: Pets

10. I would like to travel to Asia.
→ *Asia* (a continent)
✔ Proper noun: Asia

11. Mary will type the letter for you.
→ *Mary* (a person’s name)
✔ Proper noun: Mary

12. Please give the money to Robert.
→ *Robert* (a person’s name)
✔ Proper noun: Robert

13. Ted goes to the ocean every summer.
→ *Ted* (a person’s name)
✔ Proper noun: Ted

14. It is very cold at the Arctic.
→ *Arctic* (a specific region)
✔ Proper noun: Arctic

15. I think Peter will be at the party.
→ *Peter* (a person’s name)
✔ Proper noun: Peter

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Part 2: Find the common noun in each sentence.

Common nouns are general names for people, places, things, or ideas — not specific.

1. The book belongs to the girl.
→ *book*, *girl* are both common nouns. But we need to pick one.
✔ Common noun: book (or *girl* — both are acceptable; let's choose *book*)

2. Give this to the boy with the red shirt.
→ *boy*, *shirt* are common nouns.
✔ Common noun: boy (or *shirt* — both are correct; choose *boy*)

3. The teacher is very busy.
→ *teacher* is a common noun (general job, not a specific person).
✔ Common noun: teacher

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✔ Final Answers:

#### Find the proper noun in each sentence:
1. Mike
2. Mexico
3. Trolley
4. Harry
5. Roger
6. Chicago
7. Africa
8. Breeze
9. Pets
10. Asia
11. Mary
12. Robert
13. Ted
14. Arctic
15. Peter

#### Find the common noun in each sentence:
1. book
2. boy
3. teacher

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🔍 Explanation:

- Proper nouns are always capitalized and refer to specific entities (e.g., names of people, places, brands).
- Common nouns are general words (e.g., "book", "boy", "teacher") and are not capitalized unless they start a sentence.

This worksheet helps students distinguish between specific names (proper nouns) and general categories (common nouns), which is a key grammar skill.