Common or Proper? Worksheet - Identify and correct capitalization of underlined nouns in sentences.

Let’s go through each sentence one by one. We need to decide if the underlined noun is common or proper.

Remember:
- A common noun is a general name for something (like “dog,” “city,” “snack”).
- A proper noun is a specific name — it names a particular person, place, thing, or event — and should always be capitalized (like “Sue,” “Florida,” “Yellowstone Park”).

Also, if it’s a proper noun but not capitalized correctly in the sentence, we’ll fix that too.

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1. Last month, Sue and Diane rode their bikes from Rhode Island to florida.
→ Underlined: *florida*
“Florida” is a state — that’s a specific place → proper noun
But it’s written with lowercase ‘f’ — needs capitalization → Florida

2. Bring down the spare bed so LuAnn has a place to sleep tonight.
→ Underlined: *bed*
“Bed” is a general object — not a specific named bed → common noun

3. My absolute favorite snack is a klondike bar.
→ Underlined: *klondike bar*
“Klondike Bar” is a brand name — that makes it a proper noun → proper noun
Needs capitalization → Klondike Bar

4. The garage down the street fixed my dad’s motorcycle.
→ Underlined: *motorcycle*
General vehicle type → common noun

5. We like to go camping and hiking every year in yellowstone park.
→ Underlined: *yellowstone park*
This is a specific national park → proper noun
Needs capitalization → Yellowstone Park

6. The dentist wants me to brush my teeth every day with fluoride toothpaste.
→ Underlined: *fluoride*
Fluoride is a chemical element/mineral — used generally in toothpaste → common noun
*(Note: Even though it’s a scientific term, unless it’s part of a brand name, it’s common.)*

7. Tonight’s movie at the cinema is finding nemo.
→ Underlined: *finding nemo*
This is the title of a specific movie → proper noun
Needs capitalization → Finding Nemo

8. Shamrocks are found all over if you celebrate st. patrick’s day.
→ Underlined: *st. patrick’s day*
This is a specific holiday → proper noun
Needs capitalization → St. Patrick’s Day

9. The street that Anthony lives on is very hilly.
→ Underlined: *street*
General word for a road — not a named street → common noun

10. I would like to get my ears pierced a the sunshine mall tomorrow.
→ Underlined: *sunshine mall*
This is the name of a specific shopping center → proper noun
Needs capitalization → Sunshine Mall

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Final Answer:

1. proper → Florida
2. common
3. proper → Klondike Bar
4. common
5. proper → Yellowstone Park
6. common
7. proper → Finding Nemo
8. proper → St. Patrick’s Day
9. common
10. proper → Sunshine Mall