π What are Proper Nouns?
Proper nouns are special names for people, places, or things. They always start with a capital letter. Think of it like this: they're unique and important enough to deserve a capital letter! Ordinary nouns (common nouns) don't get capitalized unless they start a sentence.
π§βπ« Defining Names (People)
A name is what we call someone, like your friend, your teacher, or even a character in a book. When writing a name, we always capitalize the first letter.
- πββοΈ Example: Maya loves to read.
- π¨ββοΈ Example: Dr. Smith is a great doctor.
- π Example: Queen Elizabeth ruled for many years.
π Defining Places
Places refer to specific locations, such as cities, countries, or even landmarks. Just like names, places also require capitalization.
- π½ Example: New York City is a large city.
- π«π· Example: Paris is the capital of France.
- β°οΈ Example: Mount Everest is the highest mountain.
π Names vs. Places: A Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature |
Names (People) |
Places |
| Definition |
Words used to identify individuals. |
Words used to identify specific locations. |
| Capitalization Rule |
Always capitalize the first letter of each name. |
Always capitalize the first letter of each place name. |
| Examples |
Alice, Mr. Jones, Professor Lee |
London, United States, Amazon River |
π Key Takeaways
- β
Names and places are proper nouns, and proper nouns get capital letters!
- π When you see a specific person or place, remember to capitalize it.
- π‘ Practice makes perfect! Keep an eye out for names and places as you read and write.