Abstract Nouns

Abstract nouns are a type of noun that you can't see or touch. A noun is a person, place or thing. However, in many cases,
that 'thing' may be an intangible concept, or an abstract form of noun.
In this instance, abstract refers to something that exists apart from concrete existence. An abstract noun may include an
aspect, concept, idea, experience, state of being, trait, quality, feeling, or other entity that can't be experienced with the
five senses.
Recognizing When a Noun Is Abstract
Concrete nouns are people, places, or things that we can experience with our five senses. The abstract class of noun is the
opposite. We can't experience these nouns with our senses. If a noun is abstract, it describes something you can't see,
hear, touch, taste, or smell.
It can be difficult to recognize when a noun is abstract because there are so many words that can function in different
ways. For example, some words might function as verbs in some cases and abstract nouns in other
cases. Love and taste are two examples.
 I love my husband. [In this sentence, the word love expresses an action and is, therefore, acting as a verb.]
 Send them my love. [In this sentence, the word love functions as an abstract noun because it is a thing that exists beyond
the five senses.]
 Sarah could taste cilantro in the salsa. [In this sentence, the auxiliary verb "could" functions with "taste" to illustrate
action. She can physically taste the salsa.]
 Sarah has great taste in clothes. [In this sentence, taste functions in an abstract manner. Taste refers to her preferences.]

Common Abstract Nouns

Abstract nouns can be countable or uncountable (mass). They can also be singular or possessive. Abstract nouns follow
the same grammar rules as other nouns. Let's take a look at common examples, broken out by category.

Emotions/Feelings
 Love
 Hate
 Anger
 Peace
 Pride
 Sympathy

States/Attributes
 Bravery
 Loyalty
 Honesty
 Integrity
 Compassion
 Charity
 Success
 Courage
 Deceit
 Skill
 Beauty
 Brilliance
 Pain
 Misery
Ideas/Concepts/Ideals
 Belief
 Dream
 Justice
 Truth
 Faith
 Liberty
 Knowledge
 Thought
 Information
 Culture
 Trust
 Dedication

Movements/Events
 Progress
 Education
 Hospitality
 Leisure
 Trouble
 Friendship
 Relaxation

Forming Abstract Nouns Using Suffixes

Abstract forms of nouns are very common and an important part of communication. In many cases, these nouns are
derived by adding a suffix or alteration to the root word. Child is a concrete noun, for example, but childhood is an
intangible state, so it is abstract.
Nouns with the following suffixes are often abstract:
 -tion
 -ism
 -ity
 -ment
 -ness
 -age
 -ance
 -ence
 -ship
 -ability
 -acy

Abstract nouns
An abstract noun is the name of a quality, action or state. Abstract nouns refer to ideas that we cannot see or touch.
Examples are given below.
Quality – goodness, kindness, beauty, intelligence, generosity, cleverness, obedience, honesty, brightness, wisdom,
bravery, courage, hardness, softness
Action – laughter, theft, movement, judgment
State – childhood, boyhood, manhood, youth, slavery, sickness, poverty, death, sleep
The names of the arts and science are also abstract nouns. Examples are: physics, chemistry, grammar, music
Abstract nouns can be formed from adjectives, verbs and common nouns.

From adjectives
Kindness from kind
Bravery from brave
Illness from ill
Honesty from honest
From verbs
Obedience from obey
Growth from grow
Pleasure from please
From common nouns
Childhood from child
Slavery from slave
Exercise
Form abstract nouns from the following adjectives.
1. Long Longth
2. Strong Strongth
3. Wide Width
4. Young Youth
5. Humble Humility
6. Decent Decency
7. Cruel Cruelty
8. Bitter Bitterness
9. Prudent Prudence
10. Dark Darkness
11. Wise Wisdom
12. Good Goodness
13. Vacant Vacancy
14. Sweet Sweetness
15. Human Humanity
16. Free Freedom
17. Proud Proudness
18. Brave Bravery
19. Novel Novelty
20. Poor Poverty –
21. Just Justice
22. Vain Vanity
23. Sane Sanity
24. Ignorant ignorance

Abstract nouns refer to ideas and qualities that we cannot see or touch. Most abstract nouns are formed from adjectives.
For example, the abstract noun safety is formed from the adjective safe.
Fill in the blanks with suitable abstract nouns. The adjectives, verbs or nouns given in the brackets should offer clues.

1. He is a man of Strength (strong)

2. The people in this part of the country live in Poverty (poor).

3. Cruelty to animals is a punishable offence. (cruel)

4. He is on a Pilgrimage to Mecca. (pilgrim)

5. I have great Pleasure to welcome you. (please).

6. Childhood is the best period of one’s life. (child)

7. Wastage should always be avoided. (waste).

8. As a parent my children’s Safety is of utmost importance to me. (safe).

9. As the sun went below the horizon Darkness enveloped the planet. (dark).

10. There is no end to his wickedness (wicked)