Common Nouns Worksheets - Free Printable

You're working on identifying common nouns in a set of sentences. Let’s break this down clearly.

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✔ What is a Common Noun?

A common noun is a general name for a person, place, thing, or idea — not a specific one. It is not capitalized (unless it starts a sentence).

Examples:
- *dog*, *city*, *book*, *teacher*, *car*

Compare with proper nouns (specific names):
- *Rex*, *New York*, *Harry Potter*, *Ms. Smith*, *Toyota*

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📌 Instructions: Circle the common nouns in each sentence.

Let’s go sentence by sentence and identify the common nouns.

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#### 1) The orchard has many trees.
→ orchard, trees
*(Both are general things — not specific names)*

✔ Circled: orchard, trees

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#### 2) The doctor works in the hospital until 5.
→ doctor, hospital
*(“Doctor” is a job title; “hospital” is a type of building — both general)*

✔ Circled: doctor, hospital

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#### 3) The deer and the fawn are at the lake.
→ deer, fawn, lake
*(All are general animals or places)*

✔ Circled: deer, fawn, lake

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#### 4) Heidi and her cousin are going to the aquarium.
→ cousin, aquarium
*(“Heidi” is a proper noun — don’t circle it. “Cousin” is a family role; “aquarium” is a type of place)*

✔ Circled: cousin, aquarium

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#### 5) My sister baked cupcakes for me.
→ sister, cupcakes
*(“Sister” is a family role; “cupcakes” are general food items)*

✔ Circled: sister, cupcakes

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#### 6) Harper painted mountains and trees.
→ mountains, trees
*(“Harper” is a proper noun — don’t circle. “Mountains” and “trees” are general things)*

✔ Circled: mountains, trees

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#### 7) The king and the queen live in the palace.
→ king, queen, palace
*(These are roles or types of buildings — not specific names like “King Charles”)*

✔ Circled: king, queen, palace

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#### 8) The driver parked the car in the garage.
→ driver, car, garage
*(All general — job, vehicle, structure)*

✔ Circled: driver, car, garage

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#### 9) Griffin is watering the plants in his backyard.
→ plants, backyard
*(“Griffin” is a proper noun — don’t circle. “Plants” and “backyard” are general)*

✔ Circled: plants, backyard

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#### 10) My grandmother is reading the newspaper.
→ grandmother, newspaper
*(Family role + general object)*

✔ Circled: grandmother, newspaper

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🎯 Final Answer (List of Common Nouns to Circle):

1. orchard, trees
2. doctor, hospital
3. deer, fawn, lake
4. cousin, aquarium
5. sister, cupcakes
6. mountains, trees
7. king, queen, palace
8. driver, car, garage
9. plants, backyard
10. grandmother, newspaper

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💡 Tip:

If you’re unsure whether to circle a word — ask yourself:
> “Is this a general category or a specific name?”

If it’s general → common noun → CIRCLE IT
If it’s a name (like Diego, Heidi, Harper, Griffin) → proper noun → DO NOT CIRCLE

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✔ You’ve now correctly identified all the common nouns! Great job practicing grammar! 🌟