{"id":886,"date":"2016-04-13T20:30:57","date_gmt":"2016-04-13T20:30:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/waymaker-level1-english\/?post_type=chapter&p=886"},"modified":"2016-08-19T17:00:44","modified_gmt":"2016-08-19T17:00:44","slug":"outcome-nouns-4-1","status":"web-only","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-mcc-college-composition\/chapter\/outcome-nouns-4-1\/","title":{"raw":"Nouns","rendered":"Nouns"},"content":{"raw":"

Introduction<\/h2>\r\n
\r\n

Learning Objectives<\/h3>\r\n
    \r\n \t
  • identify functions of nouns<\/li>\r\n \t
  • identify plural nouns<\/li>\r\n \t
  • identify count vs. non-count nouns<\/li>\r\n \t
  • identify compound nouns<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\"Icon \"Icon \"Icon\"Icon\r\n\r\nNouns are a\u00a0diverse group of words, and they are very common in English. Nouns are a category of words defining things<\/strong>\u2014people, places, items, concepts. The video below is brief introduction to them and the\u00a0role they play:\r\n\r\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/UejW-WQpujs\r\n\r\nNow that you've seen and identified some nouns, let's get started.\u00a0In this outcome we will discuss nouns and their proper function in language.\r\n\r\n
    \r\n\r\n

    Functions of Nouns<\/h2>\r\n\"aAs we've already learned, a\u00a0noun is the name of a person (Dr. Sanders), place (Lawrence, Kansas, factory, home), thing (scissors, saw, book), or idea (love, truth, beauty, intelligence).\r\n
    \r\n\r\nLet's look at the following examples to get a better idea of how nouns work in sentences. All of the nouns have been bolded in blue:\r\n
      \r\n \t
    • The one experiment<\/strong><\/span> that has been given the most attention<\/strong><\/span> in the debate<\/strong><\/span> on saccharin<\/strong><\/span> is the 1977 Canadian study<\/strong><\/span> done on rats<\/strong><\/span>.<\/li>\r\n \t
    • The Calorie Control Council<\/strong><\/span>, a group<\/strong><\/span> of Japanese and American manufacturers<\/strong><\/span> of saccharin<\/strong><\/span>, spent $890,000<\/span><\/strong> in the first three months<\/strong><\/span> of the 1977 ban<\/strong><\/span> on saccharin<\/strong><\/span> on lobbying<\/strong><\/span>, advertisements<\/strong><\/span>, and public relations<\/strong><\/span>.<\/li>\r\n \t
    • A flat-plate collector<\/strong><\/span> located on a sloping roof<\/strong><\/span> heats water<\/strong><\/span> which circulates through a coil<\/strong><\/span> and is pumped back to the collector<\/strong><\/span>.<\/li>\r\n \t
    • The blades<\/strong><\/span> start turning when the windspeed<\/strong><\/span> reaches 10 mph<\/strong><\/span>, and an anemometer is attached to the shaft<\/strong><\/span> to measure windspeed<\/strong><\/span>.<\/li>\r\n \t
    • The multi-fuel capacity<\/strong><\/span> of the Stirling engine<\/strong><\/span> gives it a versatility not possible in the internal combustion engine<\/strong><\/span>.<\/li>\r\n \t
    • The regenerative cooling cycle<\/strong><\/span> in the engines<\/strong><\/span> of the Space Shuttle<\/strong><\/span> is made up of high pressure hydrogen<\/strong><\/span> that flows in tubes<\/strong><\/span> connecting the nozzle<\/strong><\/span> and the combustion chamber<\/strong><\/span>.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div>\r\n

      Types\u00a0of Nouns<\/h3>\r\nOf the many\u00a0different categories\u00a0of nouns, a couple deserve closer attention here.\r\n

      Common vs. Proper Noun<\/h4>\r\n\"Iconvs.\"Icon\r\n\r\nCommon nouns are\u00a0generic words, like tissue<\/em>. They are\u00a0lower-cased (unless they\u00a0begin a sentence).\u00a0A proper noun, on the other hand, is the name of a specific thing, like the brand name\u00a0Kleenex<\/em>. Proper nouns are always\u00a0capitalized.\r\n
        \r\n \t
      • common noun:\u00a0name<\/li>\r\n \t
      • proper noun: Ester<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n

        Concrete vs. Abstract Noun<\/h4>\r\n\"iconvs.\u00a0\"Dotted\r\n\r\nConcrete nouns are things you can hold, see, or otherwise sense, like\u00a0book<\/em>,\u00a0light<\/em>, or\u00a0warmth<\/em>.\r\n\r\nAbstract nouns, on the other hand, are (as you might expect) abstract concepts, like\u00a0time<\/em> and\u00a0love<\/em>.\r\n
          \r\n \t
        • concrete noun: rock<\/li>\r\n \t
        • abstract noun: justice<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nThe rest of this section\u00a0will\u00a0dig into other types of nouns: count v. non-count nouns, compound nouns, and plural nouns.\r\n\r\n
          \r\n\r\n

          Regular Plural Nouns<\/h2>\r\n\"IconA plural noun\u00a0indicates that there is more than one of that noun (while a singular noun indicates that there is just one of the noun).\u00a0English has both regular and irregular plural nouns.\r\n\r\nLet's start with regular plurals: regular plural nouns<\/strong> use established\u00a0patterns to\u00a0indicate there is more than one of a thing.\r\n

          Recognize nouns marked with plural form -s.<\/em><\/h3>\r\nWe add the plural suffix -s<\/em> to most words.\r\n
            \r\n \t
          • apple\u00a0\u2192 apples<\/li>\r\n \t
          • key\u00a0\u2192 keys<\/li>\r\n \t
          • computer\u00a0\u2192 computers<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nHowever, after sounds s<\/em>, z<\/em>, sh<\/em>, ch<\/em>, and j<\/em>, we add the plural suffix -es<\/em>.\r\n
              \r\n \t
            • box\u00a0\u2192 boxes<\/li>\r\n \t
            • wish\u00a0\u2192 wishes<\/li>\r\n \t
            • kiss\u00a0\u2192 kisses<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n
              \r\n

              Practice<\/h3>\r\nDo you know how to spell the plurals\u00a0for the following words?\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
              Singular<\/th>\r\nPlural<\/th>\r\nSingular<\/th>\r\nPlural<\/th>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/thead>\r\n
              book<\/td>\r\n[practice-area rows=\"1\"][\/practice-area]<\/td>\r\npeach<\/td>\r\n[practice-area rows=\"1\"][\/practice-area]<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
              chair<\/td>\r\n[practice-area rows=\"1\"][\/practice-area]<\/td>\r\nbuzz<\/td>\r\n[practice-area rows=\"1\"][\/practice-area]<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
              picture<\/td>\r\n[practice-area rows=\"1\"][\/practice-area]<\/td>\r\nwatch<\/td>\r\n[practice-area rows=\"1\"][\/practice-area]<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n[reveal-answer q=\"245001\"]Click to Show Answer<\/strong>[\/reveal-answer]\r\n[hidden-answer a=\"245001\"]\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
              Singular<\/th>\r\nPlural<\/th>\r\nSingular<\/th>\r\nPlural<\/th>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/thead>\r\n
              book<\/td>\r\nbooks<\/em><\/td>\r\npeach<\/td>\r\npeaches<\/em><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
              chair<\/td>\r\nchairs<\/em><\/td>\r\nbuzz<\/td>\r\nbuzzes<\/em><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
              picture<\/td>\r\npictures<\/em><\/td>\r\nwatch<\/td>\r\nwatches<\/em><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n[\/hidden-answer]\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n

              After the letter\u00a0o<\/em>.<\/h3>\r\nWe add the plural suffix -es<\/em> to most words that end in o<\/em>.\r\n
                \r\n \t
              • tomato\u00a0\u2192 tomatoes<\/li>\r\n \t
              • hero\u00a0\u2192 heroes<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nWe add the plural suffix -s<\/em> to words of foreign origin (Latin, Greek, Spanish, etc.)\r\n
                  \r\n \t
                • piano\u00a0\u2192 pianos<\/li>\r\n \t
                • photo\u00a0\u2192 photos<\/li>\r\n \t
                • video\u00a0\u2192 videos<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n
                  Note:\u00a0<\/strong>While you won't be expected to know which words have a foreign origin, being familiar with (or memorizing) some\u00a0common words that use this plural\u00a0can\u00a0be really helpful. And remember, if you're ever in doubt, the dictionary is there for you!<\/div>\r\n
                  \r\n

                  Practice<\/h3>\r\nWhat are the correct plurals for the following words?\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
                  Singular<\/th>\r\nPlural<\/th>\r\nSingular<\/th>\r\nPlural<\/th>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/thead>\r\n
                  solo<\/td>\r\n[practice-area rows=\"1\"][\/practice-area]<\/td>\r\nportfolio<\/td>\r\n[practice-area rows=\"1\"][\/practice-area]<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
                  veto<\/td>\r\n[practice-area rows=\"1\"][\/practice-area]<\/td>\r\nmemo<\/td>\r\n[practice-area rows=\"1\"][\/practice-area]<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
                  echo<\/td>\r\n[practice-area rows=\"1\"][\/practice-area]<\/td>\r\nradio<\/td>\r\n[practice-area rows=\"1\"][\/practice-area]<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
                  avocado<\/td>\r\n[practice-area rows=\"1\"][\/practice-area]<\/td>\r\nzero<\/td>\r\n[practice-area rows=\"1\"][\/practice-area]<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
                  studio<\/td>\r\n[practice-area rows=\"1\"][\/practice-area]<\/td>\r\npotato<\/td>\r\n[practice-area rows=\"1\"][\/practice-area]<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n[reveal-answer q=\"245002\"]Click to Show Answer<\/strong>[\/reveal-answer]\r\n[hidden-answer a=\"245002\"]\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
                  Singular<\/th>\r\nPlural<\/th>\r\nSingular<\/th>\r\nPlural<\/th>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/thead>\r\n
                  solo<\/td>\r\nsolos<\/em><\/td>\r\nportfolio<\/td>\r\nportfolios<\/em><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
                  veto<\/td>\r\nvetoes<\/em><\/td>\r\nmemo<\/td>\r\nmemos<\/em><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
                  echo<\/td>\r\nechoes<\/em><\/td>\r\nradio<\/td>\r\nradios<\/em><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
                  avocado<\/td>\r\navocados<\/em><\/td>\r\nzero<\/td>\r\nzeroes<\/em><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
                  studio<\/td>\r\nstudios<\/em><\/td>\r\npotato<\/td>\r\npotatoes<\/em><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n[\/hidden-answer]\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n

                  After -y<\/em>\u00a0and -f<\/em>, -fe<\/em><\/h3>\r\nWhen a word ends in y<\/em>\u00a0and there is a consonant before y<\/em>, we change the y<\/em>\u00a0to i<\/em>\u00a0and add -es<\/em>.\r\n
                    \r\n \t
                  • baby\u00a0\u2192 babies<\/li>\r\n \t
                  • fly\u00a0\u2192 flies<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n
                    \r\n

                    But not after a vowel +\u00a0y<\/em><\/h4>\r\n
                      \r\n \t
                    • toy\u00a0\u2192 toys<\/li>\r\n \t
                    • monkey\u00a0\u2192 monkeys<\/li>\r\n \t
                    • day\u00a0\u2192 days<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div>\r\n
                      \r\n

                      Practice<\/h3>\r\nWhat are the correct plurals for the following words?\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
                      Singular<\/th>\r\nPlural<\/th>\r\nSingular<\/th>\r\nPlural<\/th>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/thead>\r\n
                      supply<\/td>\r\n[practice-area rows=\"1\"][\/practice-area]<\/td>\r\nkey<\/td>\r\n[practice-area rows=\"1\"][\/practice-area]<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
                      fry<\/td>\r\n[practice-area rows=\"1\"][\/practice-area]<\/td>\r\nplay<\/td>\r\n[practice-area rows=\"1\"][\/practice-area]<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
                      ally<\/td>\r\n[practice-area rows=\"1\"][\/practice-area]<\/td>\r\nboy<\/td>\r\n[practice-area rows=\"1\"][\/practice-area]<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n[reveal-answer q=\"245003\"]Click to Show Answer<\/strong>[\/reveal-answer]\r\n[hidden-answer a=\"245003\"]\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
                      Singular<\/th>\r\nPlural<\/th>\r\nSingular<\/th>\r\nPlural<\/th>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/thead>\r\n
                      supply<\/td>\r\nsupplies<\/em><\/td>\r\nkey<\/td>\r\nkeys<\/em><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
                      fry<\/td>\r\nfries<\/em><\/td>\r\nplay<\/td>\r\nplays<\/em><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
                      ally<\/td>\r\nallies<\/em><\/td>\r\nboy<\/td>\r\nboys<\/em><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n[\/hidden-answer]\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\nWhen a word ends in -f<\/em> or -fe<\/em>, we change the f<\/em> to v<\/em>\u00a0and add -es<\/em>.\r\n
                        \r\n \t
                      • leaf\u00a0\u2192 leaves<\/li>\r\n \t
                      • life\u00a0\u2192 lives<\/li>\r\n \t
                      • scarf\u00a0\u2192 scarves<\/li>\r\n \t
                      • calf\u00a0\u2192 calves<\/li>\r\n \t
                      • loaf\u00a0\u2192 loaves<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n
                        \r\n

                        But not in these words<\/h4>\r\n
                          \r\n \t
                        • cliff\u00a0\u2192 cliffs<\/li>\r\n \t
                        • roof\u00a0\u2192 roofs<\/li>\r\n \t
                        • belief\u00a0\u2192 beliefs<\/li>\r\n \t
                        • chief\u00a0\u2192 chiefs<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div>\r\n
                          \r\n

                          Practice<\/h3>\r\nWhat are the correct plurals for the following words?\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
                          Singular<\/th>\r\nPlural<\/th>\r\nSingular<\/th>\r\nPlural<\/th>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/thead>\r\n
                          wolf<\/td>\r\n[practice-area rows=\"1\"][\/practice-area]<\/td>\r\nself<\/td>\r\n[practice-area rows=\"1\"][\/practice-area]<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
                          chief<\/td>\r\n[practice-area rows=\"1\"][\/practice-area]<\/td>\r\nhalf<\/td>\r\n[practice-area rows=\"1\"][\/practice-area]<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
                          sheaf<\/td>\r\n[practice-area rows=\"1\"][\/practice-area]<\/td>\r\nroof<\/td>\r\n[practice-area rows=\"1\"][\/practice-area]<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
                          knife<\/td>\r\n[practice-area rows=\"1\"][\/practice-area]<\/td>\r\nthief<\/td>\r\n[practice-area rows=\"1\"][\/practice-area]<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n[reveal-answer q=\"245004\"]Click to Show Answer<\/strong>[\/reveal-answer]\r\n[hidden-answer a=\"245004\"]\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
                          Singular<\/th>\r\nPlural<\/th>\r\nSingular<\/th>\r\nPlural<\/th>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/thead>\r\n
                          wolf<\/td>\r\nwolves<\/em><\/td>\r\nself<\/td>\r\nselves<\/em><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
                          chief<\/td>\r\nchiefs<\/em><\/td>\r\nhalf<\/td>\r\nhalves<\/em><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
                          sheaf<\/td>\r\nsheaves<\/em><\/td>\r\nroof<\/td>\r\nroofs<\/em><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
                          knife<\/td>\r\nknives<\/em><\/td>\r\nthief<\/td>\r\nthieves<\/em><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n[\/hidden-answer]\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n
                          \r\n\r\n

                          Irregular Plural Nouns<\/h2>\r\n\"IconIrregular plurals<\/strong>, unlike regular plurals,\u00a0don't necessarily follow any pattern, and require a lot of memorization. Mastering this type of pluralization uses a different region\u00a0of your\u00a0brain than regular pluralization, meaning it's an entirely different skill set than regular pluralization. So don't get too frustrated if you can't remember the correct plural. If you're ever in doubt, the dictionary is there for you.\r\n

                          No Change (Base Plurals)<\/h3>\r\nIn some\u00a0words, the singular form is used for both singular and plural.\r\n
                            \r\n \t
                          • fish<\/li>\r\n \t
                          • deer<\/li>\r\n \t
                          • sheep<\/li>\r\n \t
                          • offspring<\/li>\r\n \t
                          • series<\/li>\r\n \t
                          • species<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n

                            Mid-Word Vowel Change<\/h3>\r\nIn a few words, the mid-word vowels are changed to form the plural. This video\u00a0lists all seven of these words and their plurals.\r\n\r\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/VdLOP9teko4\r\n
                            Note:<\/strong> The plural for a computer mouse (as opposed to the fuzzy animal) can either be mice<\/em> or mouses<\/em>. Some people prefer\u00a0mouses<\/em> as it creates some differentiation between the two words.<\/div>\r\n

                            Plural -en<\/em><\/h3>\r\n
                              \r\n \t
                            • child\u00a0\u2192 children<\/li>\r\n \t
                            • ox\u00a0\u2192 oxen<\/li>\r\n \t
                            • brother\u00a0\u2192 brethren<\/li>\r\n \t
                            • sister\u00a0\u2192 sistren<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n
                              Note:<\/strong>\u00a0Brethren<\/em>\u00a0and sistren<\/em>\u00a0are\u00a0antiquated terms that you're unlikely to run into in your life; however, since these are the only four words in English that use this plural, all four have been included above.<\/div>\r\n
                              \r\n

                              Practice<\/h3>\r\nWhat are the correct plurals for the following words?\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
                              Singular<\/th>\r\nPlural<\/th>\r\nSingular<\/th>\r\nPlural<\/th>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/thead>\r\n
                              goose<\/td>\r\n[practice-area rows=\"1\"][\/practice-area]<\/td>\r\nmoose<\/td>\r\n[practice-area rows=\"1\"][\/practice-area]<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
                              fish<\/td>\r\n[practice-area rows=\"1\"][\/practice-area]<\/td>\r\nchild<\/td>\r\n[practice-area rows=\"1\"][\/practice-area]<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
                              man<\/td>\r\n[practice-area rows=\"1\"][\/practice-area]<\/td>\r\ntooth<\/td>\r\n[practice-area rows=\"1\"][\/practice-area]<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n[reveal-answer q=\"245006\"]Click to Show Answer<\/strong>[\/reveal-answer]\r\n[hidden-answer a=\"245006\"]\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
                              Singular<\/th>\r\nPlural<\/th>\r\nSingular<\/th>\r\nPlural<\/th>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/thead>\r\n
                              goose<\/td>\r\ngeese<\/em><\/td>\r\nmoose<\/td>\r\nmoose<\/em><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
                              fish<\/td>\r\nfish<\/em><\/td>\r\nchild<\/td>\r\nchildren<\/em><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
                              man<\/td>\r\nmen<\/em><\/td>\r\ntooth<\/td>\r\nteeth<\/em><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n[\/hidden-answer]\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n

                              Borrowed Words -i<\/em>, -en<\/em>, -a<\/em>, -es<\/em>, -ae<\/em><\/h3>\r\nIn words borrowed from Latin and Greek, the plural from the original language is used.\r\n

                              Singular -us<\/em>; Plural -i<\/em><\/h4>\r\n
                                \r\n \t
                              • cactus\u00a0\u2192 cacti<\/li>\r\n \t
                              • fungus\u00a0\u2192 fungi<\/li>\r\n \t
                              • syllabus\u00a0\u2192 syllabi<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nIn informal speech, cactuses<\/em>\u00a0and funguses<\/em>\u00a0are acceptable.\u00a0Octopuses<\/em> is preferred to\u00a0octopi<\/em>, but\u00a0octopi<\/em> is an accepted word.\r\n

                                Singular\u00a0-a<\/em>; Plural -ae<\/em><\/h4>\r\n
                                  \r\n \t
                                • formula\u00a0\u2192 formulae (sometimes\u00a0formulas<\/em>)<\/li>\r\n \t
                                • vertebra\u00a0\u2192 vertebrae<\/li>\r\n \t
                                • larva\u00a0\u2192 larvae<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n

                                  Singular -ix<\/em>, -ex<\/em>; Plural -ices<\/em>, -es<\/em><\/h4>\r\n
                                    \r\n \t
                                  • appendix\u00a0\u2192 appendices (sometimes appendixes<\/em>)<\/li>\r\n \t
                                  • index\u00a0\u2192 indices<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n

                                    Singular -on<\/em>,\u00a0-um<\/em>;\u00a0Plural -a<\/em><\/h4>\r\n
                                      \r\n \t
                                    • criterion \u2192 criteria<\/li>\r\n \t
                                    • bacterium \u2192 bacteria<\/li>\r\n \t
                                    • medium\u00a0\u2192 media<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n

                                      Singular -is<\/em>; Plural -es<\/em><\/h4>\r\n
                                        \r\n \t
                                      • analysis\u00a0\u2192 analyses<\/li>\r\n \t
                                      • crisis\u00a0\u2192 crises<\/li>\r\n \t
                                      • thesis\u00a0\u2192 theses<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n
                                        \r\n

                                        Practice<\/h3>\r\nWhat are the correct plurals for the following words?\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
                                        Singular<\/th>\r\nPlural<\/th>\r\nSingular<\/th>\r\nPlural<\/th>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/thead>\r\n
                                        memorandum<\/td>\r\n[practice-area rows=\"1\"][\/practice-area]<\/td>\r\nemphasis<\/td>\r\n[practice-area rows=\"1\"][\/practice-area]<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
                                        focus<\/td>\r\n[practice-area rows=\"1\"][\/practice-area]<\/td>\r\nbasis<\/td>\r\n[practice-area rows=\"1\"][\/practice-area]<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
                                        nucleus<\/td>\r\n[practice-area rows=\"1\"][\/practice-area]<\/td>\r\nphenomenon<\/td>\r\n[practice-area rows=\"1\"][\/practice-area]<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
                                        appendix<\/td>\r\n[practice-area rows=\"1\"][\/practice-area]<\/td>\r\ncurriculum<\/td>\r\n[practice-area rows=\"1\"][\/practice-area]<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
                                        parenthesis<\/td>\r\n[practice-area rows=\"1\"][\/practice-area]<\/td>\r\nhypothesis<\/td>\r\n[practice-area rows=\"1\"][\/practice-area]<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
                                        stimulus<\/td>\r\n[practice-area rows=\"1\"][\/practice-area]<\/td>\r\nvertebra<\/td>\r\n[practice-area rows=\"1\"][\/practice-area]<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n[reveal-answer q=\"245005\"]Click to Show Answer<\/strong>[\/reveal-answer]\r\n[hidden-answer a=\"245005\"]\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
                                        Singular<\/th>\r\nPlural<\/th>\r\nSingular<\/th>\r\nPlural<\/th>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/thead>\r\n
                                        memorandum<\/td>\r\nmemoranda<\/em><\/td>\r\nemphasis<\/td>\r\nemphases<\/em><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
                                        focus<\/td>\r\nfoci<\/em> (focuses<\/em> is also acceptable)<\/td>\r\nbasis<\/td>\r\nbases<\/em><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
                                        nucleus<\/td>\r\nnuclei<\/em><\/td>\r\nphenomenon<\/td>\r\nphenomena<\/em><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
                                        appendix<\/td>\r\nappendices<\/em> (appendixes<\/em> is also acceptable)<\/td>\r\ncurriculum<\/td>\r\ncurricula<\/em><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
                                        parenthesis<\/td>\r\nparentheses<\/em><\/td>\r\nhypothesis<\/td>\r\nhypotheses<\/em><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
                                        stimulus<\/td>\r\nstimuli<\/em><\/td>\r\nvertebra<\/td>\r\nvertebrae<\/em><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n[\/hidden-answer]\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n
                                        \r\n\r\n

                                        Count vs. Non-Count Nouns<\/h2>\r\n

                                        Count Nouns<\/h3>\r\nA\u00a0count noun<\/b> (also countable noun<\/b>) is a noun that can be modified by a numeral (three<\/em> chairs<\/em>)\u00a0and that occurs in both singular and plural\u00a0forms (chair<\/em>,\u00a0chairs<\/em>). The can also be preceded by words such as\u00a0a<\/em>, an<\/em>, or the <\/em>(a\u00a0chair<\/em>).\r\n\r\nQuite literally, count nouns are nouns which can be counted.\r\n

                                        Non-Count Nouns<\/h3>\r\nA non-count noun<\/strong> (also\u00a0mass noun<\/strong>), on the other hand, has none of these properties. It can't be modified by a numeral (three furniture<\/em> is incorrect), occur in singular\/plural (furnitures<\/em> is not a word), or co-occur with a<\/em>, an<\/em>, or the <\/em>(a\u00a0furniture<\/em> is incorrect).\r\n\r\nAgain, quite literally, non-count nouns are nouns which cannot be counted.\r\n
                                        \r\n

                                        Example: Chair vs. Furniture<\/h3>\r\nThe sentence pairs below\u00a0compare\u00a0the count noun chair<\/i>\u00a0and the non-count\u00a0noun furniture<\/i>.\r\n\r\n\"aThere are chairs<\/b> in the room. (correct)\r\nThere are furnitures<\/b> in the room. (incorrect)\r\n\r\nThere is a chair<\/b> in the room.\u00a0(correct)\r\nThere is a furniture<\/b> in the room. (incorrect)\r\n\r\nThere is chair<\/strong> in the room.\u00a0(incorrect)\r\nThere is furniture<\/strong> in the room.\u00a0(correct)\r\n\r\nEvery chair<\/b> is man made.\u00a0(correct)\r\nEvery furniture<\/b> is man made. (incorrect)\r\n\r\nAll chair<\/strong> is man made. (incorrect)\r\nAll furniture<\/strong> is man made.\u00a0(correct)\r\n\r\nThere are several chairs<\/b> in the room.\u00a0(correct)\r\nThere are several furnitures<\/b> in the room. (incorrect)\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n

                                        Determining the Type of Noun<\/h3>\r\nIn general, a count noun is going to be something you can easily count\u2014like\u00a0rock<\/em> or dollar bill<\/em>. Non-count nouns, on the other hand, would be more difficult to count\u2014like\u00a0sand<\/em> or\u00a0money<\/em>.\u00a0If you ever want to identify a singular\u00a0non-count noun, you need a phrase beforehand\u2014like\u00a0a grain of sand<\/em> or a sum of money<\/em>.\r\n
                                        \r\n

                                        Practice<\/h3>\r\nSelect the correct word to complete each sentence (in some cases, both words may be correct). Determine whether the correct word is a count or a non-count noun.\r\n
                                          \r\n \t
                                        1. Each day, we have a lot of (work\/job)\u00a0to do.<\/li>\r\n \t
                                        2. Each one of us has a (work\/job)\u00a0to do.<\/li>\r\n \t
                                        3. I'm learning a lot of (slang\/expressions).<\/li>\r\n \t
                                        4. I don't know much (slang\/expressions).<\/li>\r\n \t
                                        5. I don't know many (slang\/expressions).<\/li>\r\n \t
                                        6. She has to wash her tonight (hair\/hairs).<\/li>\r\n \t
                                        7. She found a couple of gray (hair\/hairs) in her eyebrows.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n[reveal-answer q=\"169413\"]Click to Show Answer<\/strong>[\/reveal-answer]\r\n[hidden-answer a=\"169413\"]\r\n
                                            \r\n \t
                                          1. Each day, we have a lot of work<\/strong>\u00a0to do.\u00a0Work<\/em>\u00a0is a non-count noun.<\/li>\r\n \t
                                          2. Each one of us has a job<\/strong>\u00a0to do. Job<\/i>\u00a0is a count noun.<\/li>\r\n \t
                                          3. I'm learning a lot of slang<\/strong>.\u00a0I'm learning a lot of expressions<\/strong>.\r\n
                                              \r\n \t
                                            • Both sentences are correct.\u00a0Slang<\/em>\u00a0is a non-count noun, and\u00a0expressions<\/em>\u00a0is a count noun.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t
                                            • I don't know much slang<\/strong>.\u00a0Slang<\/em>\u00a0is a non-count noun.<\/li>\r\n \t
                                            • I don't know many expressions<\/strong>.\u00a0Expressions<\/em>\u00a0is a count noun.<\/li>\r\n \t
                                            • She has to wash her tonight hair<\/strong>.\u00a0Hair<\/em>\u00a0is a non-count noun.<\/li>\r\n \t
                                            • She found a couple of gray hairs<\/strong>\u00a0in her eyebrows.\u00a0Hairs<\/em>\u00a0is a count noun.\r\n
                                                \r\n \t
                                              • Hair<\/em> refers to a large mass of hair, while\u00a0hairs<\/em> are individual ones (one or two) found on the floor, on clothing, and occasionally in food!<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n[\/hidden-answer]\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n
                                                \r\n\r\n

                                                Compound Nouns<\/h2>\r\nA compound noun<\/b> is a noun phrase made up of two nouns, e.g. bus driver<\/i>, in which the first noun acts as a sort of adjective\u00a0for the second one, but without really describing it. (For example, think about the difference between\u00a0a black bird<\/i> and a blackbird<\/i>.)\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_1115\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"1024\"]\"two Figure 1. A crow is a black bird, while a blackbird is a specific species of bird.[\/caption]\r\n\r\nCompound nouns<\/strong>\u00a0can be made up of two or more other words, but each compound\u00a0has a single meaning. They\u00a0may or may not be hyphenated, and they may be written with a space between words\u2014especially if one of the words has more than one syllable, as in living room<\/i>. In that regard, it's necessary to avoid the over-simplification of saying that two single-syllable words are written together as one word. Thus, tablecloth<\/i> but table mat<\/i>, wine glass<\/i> but wineglassful<\/i> or key ring<\/i> but keyholder<\/i>. Moreover, there are cases which some people\/dictionaries\u00a0will write one way while others write them another way.\u00a0Until very recently we wrote (the) week's end<\/i>, which later became week-end<\/i> and then our beloved weekend<\/i>.\r\n\r\nThere are three typical structures of compound nouns.\r\n

                                                Types of Compound Nouns<\/h3>\r\nShort compounds may be written in three different ways:\r\n
                                                  \r\n \t
                                                • The solid or closed forms<\/strong> in which two usually moderately short words appear together as one. Solid compounds most likely consist of short\u00a0units that often have been established in the language for a long time. Examples are housewife<\/i>, lawsuit<\/i>, wallpaper<\/i>, basketball<\/i>, etc.<\/li>\r\n \t
                                                • The hyphenated form<\/strong> in which two or more words are connected by a hyphen. This category includes compounds that contain suffixes, such as house-build<\/em>(er<\/em>) and single-mind<\/em>(ed<\/em>)(ness<\/em>). Compounds that contain articles, prepositions or\u00a0conjunctions, such as rent-a-cop <\/i>and\u00a0mother-of-pearl<\/i>, are also often hyphenated.<\/li>\r\n \t
                                                • The open or spaced form<\/strong> consisting of newer combinations of usually longer words, such as distance learning<\/i>, player piano<\/i>, lawn tennis<\/i>, etc.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nHyphens are often considered a squishy part on language (we'll discuss this further in Text: Hyphens and Dashes). Because of this, usage differs and often depends on the individual choice of the writer rather than on a hard-and-fast rule. This means\u00a0open, hyphenated, and closed forms may be encountered for the same compound noun, such as the triplets container ship<\/i>\/container-ship<\/i>\/containership<\/i> and particle board<\/i>\/particle-board<\/i>\/particleboard<\/i>. If you're ever in doubt whether a compound should be closed, hyphenated, or open, dictionaries are your best reference.\r\n

                                                  Plurals<\/h3>\r\nThe process of making\u00a0compound nouns plural has its own\u00a0set of conventions to follow. In all forms of compound nouns, we pluralize the chief element of a compound word (i.e., we pluralize the primary noun of the compound).\r\n
                                                    \r\n \t
                                                  • fisherman<\/strong>\u00a0\u2192 fishermen<\/strong><\/li>\r\n \t
                                                  • black\u00a0bird<\/strong> \u2192 black\u00a0birds<\/strong><\/li>\r\n \t
                                                  • brother<\/strong>-in-law\u00a0\u2192 brothers<\/strong>-in-law<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nThe word hand-me-down<\/em>\u00a0doesn't have a distinct primary noun, so\u00a0its plural is\u00a0hand-me-downs<\/em>.\r\n
                                                    \r\n

                                                    Practice<\/h3>\r\nWhat are the correct plurals for the following words?\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
                                                    Singular<\/th>\r\nPlural<\/th>\r\nSingular<\/th>\r\nPlural<\/th>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/thead>\r\n
                                                    do-it-yourself<\/td>\r\n[practice-area rows=\"1\"][\/practice-area]<\/td>\r\nrabbit's foot<\/td>\r\n[practice-area rows=\"1\"][\/practice-area]<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
                                                    have-not<\/td>\r\n[practice-area rows=\"1\"][\/practice-area]<\/td>\r\ntime-out<\/td>\r\n[practice-area rows=\"1\"][\/practice-area]<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
                                                    spoonful<\/td>\r\n[practice-area rows=\"1\"][\/practice-area]<\/td>\r\nlieutenant general<\/td>\r\n[practice-area rows=\"1\"][\/practice-area]<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
                                                    runner-up<\/td>\r\n\u00a0[practice-area rows=\"1\"][\/practice-area]<\/td>\r\npasserby<\/td>\r\n[practice-area rows=\"1\"][\/practice-area]<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n[reveal-answer q=\"87309\"]Click to Show Answer<\/strong>[\/reveal-answer]\r\n[hidden-answer a=\"87309\"]\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
                                                    Singular<\/th>\r\nPlural<\/th>\r\nSingular<\/th>\r\nPlural<\/th>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/thead>\r\n
                                                    do-it-yourself<\/td>\r\ndo-it-yourselves<\/em><\/td>\r\nrabbit's foot<\/td>\r\nrabbits' feet<\/em><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
                                                    have-not<\/td>\r\nhave-nots<\/em><\/td>\r\ntime-out<\/td>\r\ntime-outs<\/em><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
                                                    spoonful<\/td>\r\nspoonfuls<\/em><\/td>\r\nlieutenant general<\/td>\r\nlieutenant generals<\/em><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
                                                    runner-up<\/td>\r\nrunners-up<\/em><\/td>\r\npasserby<\/td>\r\npassersby<\/em><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n[\/hidden-answer]\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n
                                                    \r\n\r\n

                                                    Self-Check<\/h2>\r\nhttps:\/\/assessments.lumenlearning.com\/assessments\/1272","rendered":"

                                                    Introduction<\/h2>\n
                                                    \n

                                                    Learning Objectives<\/h3>\n
                                                      \n
                                                    • identify functions of nouns<\/li>\n
                                                    • identify plural nouns<\/li>\n
                                                    • identify count vs. non-count nouns<\/li>\n
                                                    • identify compound nouns<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n

                                                      \"Icon \"Icon \"Icon\"Icon<\/p>\n

                                                      Nouns are a\u00a0diverse group of words, and they are very common in English. Nouns are a category of words defining things<\/strong>\u2014people, places, items, concepts. The video below is brief introduction to them and the\u00a0role they play:<\/p>\n