1. Refer to specific, unique entities:
* Unlike common nouns (like "dog" or "city"), proper nouns identify a particular person, place, thing, or organization.
* Examples: "John," "Paris," "Google," "the Eiffel Tower"
2. Are always capitalized:
* This is the primary way to distinguish them from common nouns.
* Exceptions exist for shortened proper nouns, like "UK" for "United Kingdom" or "Dr." for "Doctor."
3. Are often singular:
* While some proper nouns can be plural (e.g., "the Smiths," "the Great Lakes"), many are naturally singular.
* This is because they refer to unique individuals or locations.
4. Don't typically have plural forms:
* For example, you wouldn't say "two Americas" or "three Johns."
* There are exceptions, like "two Californias" (referring to different regions) or "the Smiths" (a family).
5. Can be modified by adjectives:
* You can use adjectives to describe a proper noun (e.g., "beautiful Paris," "sunny California," "famous John").
* However, these adjectives often relate to characteristics associated with the specific entity rather than a general category.
6. Are used as subject, object, or other parts of speech:
* They function grammatically like other nouns.
7. Can be complex:
* Proper nouns can include multiple words (e.g., "United States of America," "Mount Everest")
8. Often have historical or cultural significance:
* Proper nouns often represent places or people that have a unique history or cultural impact.
Understanding these characteristics helps you identify and use proper nouns correctly in your writing.