You cant hold happiness in your hand or eat a plate of sadness. The connotation here is that Abstract nouns refer to anything that is not directly observable. often they can be both, but only one is correct depending on the usage. religion, science, experimentation, research, magnetism, creativity, invisibility, kindness, greed, laziness, effort, speed, concentration, confusion, dizziness, time, situation, existence, death, anarchy, law, democracy, relief, opportunity, technology, discovery, hopelessness, defeat, friendship, patience, decay, holiness, youth, childhood, Stoicism, Marxism. Abstract nouns follow the same grammar rules as other nouns. From the Hansard archive Concrete nouns were transferred with greater frequency than abstract nouns and action verbs were transferred with greater frequency than state or function verbs. Because we cant perceive them physically, everyone has their own idea about what they are. What Are Uncountable Nouns And How Do You Use Them? Copyright 2022 GrammarBrain All rights reserved , Abstract nouns in comparison to concrete nouns, More examples of commonly used abstract nouns, Conversion of Verbs and Adjectives into Abstract Nouns, I bought a new book yesterday. This is a great way to discuss the general concept behind something besides specific examples. For example, Karl Marx is a proper noun, but Marxism is an abstract noun, even though its still capitalized. Abstract nouns refer to intangible things that dont exist as physical objects. Concrete Nouns: Meaning and Examples | YourDictionary The table below explores a few different categories of things that abstract nouns can refer to. But some things arent actually, ! your text, so your work is extra polished wherever you write. Abstract Noun | Definition, Examples & Worksheet Make sure that your writing also contains concrete nouns, such as dog, house and hamburger, so your meaning is clear.