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• Abstract Nouns

Abstract Nouns - Definition, Examples and Usage

Abstract nouns are naming words that you cannot see, smell, touch or perceive by any of your five senses. Learn more about abstract nouns, definitions, examples and usage of abstract nouns in this article.

Table of Contents

Definition of an abstract noun, converting verbs and adjectives into abstract nouns, test your knowledge on abstract nouns, frequently asked questions on abstract nouns, what is an abstract noun.

An abstract noun is used to refer to concepts, ideas, experiences, traits, feelings or entities that cannot be seen, heard, tasted, smelt or touched. Abstract nouns are not concrete or tangible. There are a lot of abstract nouns (virtues) used in proverbs.

An abstract noun is defined as ‘a noun , for example, beauty or freedom , that refers to an idea or a general quality, not to a physical object’, according to the Oxford Learners Dictionary. According to Collins Dictionary, ‘an abstract noun refers to a quality or idea rather than to a physical object.’

Examples of Abstract Nouns

Check out the following examples of abstract nouns.

A verb or an adjective can be converted into an abstract noun by the addition of a suffix and vice versa. Have a look at the examples given below.

Converting Verbs to Abstract Nouns

• Move – movement
• Reflect – reflection
• Perceive – perception
• Conscious – Consciousness
• Appear – Appearance
• Resist – Resistance
• Appoint – appointment
• Enjoy – enjoyment
• Assign – assignment
• Inform – information
• Decide – decision
• Describe – description
• Determine – determination
• Block – blockade

Converting Adjectives to Abstract Nouns

• Brave – bravery
• Truth – truthful
• Honest – honesty
• Weak – weakness
• Happy – happiness
• Sad – sadness
• Mad – madness
• Responsible – responsibility
• Possible – possibility
• Probable – probability
• Able – ability
• Independent – independence
• Free – freedom
• Silent – silence

Some words can function both as a noun and a verb without any change in spelling. Here are some examples for you.

• Love as a verb – I love the way she works with it.

Love as a noun – Love is one of the qualities everyone should possess

• Divorce as a verb – Harry cannot divorce his wife.

Divorce as a noun – Are you getting a divorce?

• Aim as a verb – You have to aim for the highest grades.

Aim as a noun – What is your aim?

• Battle as a verb – Teena had to battle hard to stay in shape.

Battle as a noun – Do you know who won the battle?

• Play as a verb – The children are playing outdoor games.

Play as a noun – The Shakespearean play was performed by young artists.

Let us now check how much you have learned about abstract nouns. Identify the abstract nouns in the following sentences.

• Honesty is the best policy.
• There is no possibility for you to reach home by six in the evening.
• This place has a really pleasant ambience.
• Pride goes before a fall.
• Brevity is the soul of wit.
• That man is testing my patience.
• Have you read about the theory of evolution?
• Truthfulness is always appreciated.
• Friendship is priceless.
• What do you think about his idea?

Let us find out if you have understood correctly. Check your answers here.

• Honesty is the best policy .
• This place has a really pleasant ambience .
• Brevity is the soul of wit .
• That man is testing my patience .
• Have you read about the theory of evolution ?
• What do you think about his idea ?

What is an abstract noun?

An abstract noun is used to refer to concepts, ideas, experiences, traits, feelings or entities that cannot be seen, heard, tasted, smelt or touched. Abstract nouns are not concrete or tangible.

Give some examples of abstract nouns.

Love, concept, experience, courage, judgement, probability, freedom and soul are some examples of abstract nouns.

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Abstract Noun

What is an abstract noun.

• consideration, parenthood, belief, anger

Table of Contents

More Examples of Abstract Nouns

Find the abstract noun test, abstract nouns vs concrete nouns, list of abstract nouns, why abstract nouns are important, video lesson.

Abstract or Concrete? It Could Be Ambiguous.

• anger, anxiety, beauty, beliefs, bravery, brilliance, chaos, charity, childhood, comfort, communication, compassion, courage, culture, curiosity, deceit, dedication, democracy, determination, energy, failure, faith, fear, freedom, friendship, generosity, gossip, happiness, hate, honesty, hope, imagination, information, integrity, intelligence, joy, justice, kindness, knowledge, liberty, life, love, loyalty, luxury, misery, motivation, opportunity, pain, patience, peace, perseverance, pleasure, pride, relaxation, sacrifice, satisfaction, skill, strength, success, sympathy, talent, thought, trust, truth, warmth, wisdom
• ...and my bicycle never leaned against the garage as it does today, all the dark blue speed drained out of it. (from "On Turning Ten" by American Poet Laureate Billy Collins
• If writing a poem, consider expressing abstract ideas using concrete nouns.

Are you a visual learner? Do you prefer video to text? Here is a list of all our grammar videos .

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What Are Abstract Nouns And How Do You Use Them?

• What's An Abstract Noun?
• Abstract Vs. Concrete Nouns
• Get Help With Grammar Coach

You probably know that a noun is a word that refers to a person, place, thing, or idea—this is a grammar concept we learn pretty early on in school. And there are, of course, several different types of nouns that we use to refer to all of the things we experience during our lives: We eat food. We meet friends. We go to the store. These nouns refer to the people and physical objects that we interact with.

But what about the things that we can’t actually see or touch? Aren’t words like love , victory , and alliance nouns, too? Yes, they are, and there is a term you may not remember from your grade-school days that we use to refer to these things: the abstract noun.

What is an abstract noun?

An abstract noun is “a noun denoting something immaterial and abstract.” Another common way to think about abstract nouns is that they refer to things that you cannot experience with the five senses . You cannot see, smell, hear, taste, or touch abstract nouns. Abstract nouns refer to intangible things that don’t exist as physical objects.

For example, the word cat refers to a cute animal. You can see and touch a cat. The noun cat is not an abstract noun. On the other hand, the word luck refers to a complex idea about how likely it is that good or bad events are going to happen to someone. Luck doesn’t exist as a physical object; you can’t eat luck nor can you go to a store and buy luck. Luck is an abstract noun because it refers to an intangible concept rather than a physical object that we can experience with our senses.

What about those nouns that you can tangibly sense? Learn more about concrete nouns here.

Abstract noun examples

Unlike most other nouns, abstract nouns don’t refer to people or places. After all, people and places are real things that exist in our world. Even nouns that refer to fictional characters and places, such as Godzilla or Valhalla , are not, the reasoning goes, abstract nouns because these things would have a physical form if they were actually real.

So, all abstract nouns are “things.” Remember, though, that abstract nouns only refer to intangible things such as emotions, ideas, philosophies, and concepts. Let’s stop being abstract and look at some specific examples so we can get a better understanding of abstract nouns.

Even though we often say that we “feel” emotions, we don’t mean that literally. You “feel” emotions like happiness or anger as thoughts in your mind or activity in your brain and body. You can’t hold happiness in your hand or eat a plate of sadness. You can see people or animals expressing these emotions through actions, but emotions are not tangible objects. So, we refer to them with abstract nouns.

• Examples: happiness, sadness, anger, surprise, disgust, joy, fear, anxiety, hope

Ideas, concepts and beliefs

Besides emotions, abstract nouns are also used to refer to other concepts and ideas. These kinds of abstract nouns give names to complex topics and give us a glimpse into a big part of what makes us human—our big, wrinkly brains! While most abstract nouns are common nouns, meaning that they refer to general ideas, they can also be proper nouns, such as Christianity.

• Examples: government, dedication, cruelty, justice, Christianity, Islam, Cubism

List of abstract nouns

Abstract nouns can be pretty tough to understand, so let’s look at a bunch more:

• 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

The difference between abstract & concrete nouns

Getting a grasp on what abstract nouns are, exactly, can be tough. While abstract nouns refer to intangible things without a physical form, all of the people, places, and things that do actually have a physical form are referred to by a type of noun: a concrete noun. Unlike abstract nouns, concrete nouns can be experienced with the five senses: they can take a material form rather than an image, say, in your mind’s eye of catness.  You can see a tree . You can eat a pineapple. You can hear an engine. You can smell socks. You can touch a lamp.

So, your five senses can help you distinguish between abstract and concrete nouns. Remember, words for fictional people, places, and things are considered to be concrete nouns even if they don’t actually exist in our world. You may not be able to smell a zombie in everyday life, but you would be able to if it were real—just remember to run away if you ever saw one!

Let’s put your noun knowledge to the test with some example sentences. Read each sentence and see if you can figure out if each italicized noun is an abstract noun or a concrete noun.

• Billionaire Jeff Bezos is famous for his wealth.
• Next week, we are going on vacation to Belgium.
• When I grow up, I want to be a superhero.
• They said he was possessed by a ghost.
• The robot had many impressive abilities.
• Her blindness didn’t stop her from being successful.
• I was attacked by a swarm of bees.
• She sells seashells by the seashore.
• We heard shouting from next door.
•  The girl just wants attention from her parents.

Good grammar: not an abstract concept

We’ve got a noun for you: genius! And that’s what you’ll be when you check your writing on Thesaurus.com’s Grammar Coach™ . This writing tool uses machine learning technology uniquely designed to catch grammar and spelling errors. Its Synonym Swap will find the best nouns, adjectives, and more to help say what you really mean, guiding you toward clearer, stronger, writing.

Whether you’re writing about a person, place, or thing, perfect grammar has never been easier!

Answers: 1. Abstract 2. Concrete 3. Concrete 4. Concrete 5. Abstract 6. Abstract 7. Concrete 8. Concrete 9. Concrete 10. Abstract

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Abstract Nouns

What are abstract nouns.

Abstract nouns signify things that are impossible for us to perceive with the 5 senses.  These are nouns that are described as intangible or immaterial, which means we can’t hear, see, smell, taste, or touch them. They represent ideas and qualities that lack physical forms.

Let’s look at the following examples:

• Tae Hyung has shown great determination during the tryouts.
• They’ve known each other for 4 decades. Their friendship is truly remarkable. 
• Satu’s enthusiasm for a software overhaul is quite infectious.
• What kind of impression did you want to give to your colleagues?
• I know it was late so I deeply appreciate your consideration .

Abstract nouns can be classified in various ways, but to avoid repetition, abstract nouns may fall into the following groups:

• Human Qualities – dedication, sanity, beauty, honesty, intelligence, bravery, strength, jealousy, brilliance, calmness, sympathy, compassion, wisdom, patience, confidence, stupidity, honor, sophistication, wit, goodness
• Emotions and Feelings – love, hatred, envy, despair, sorrow, hope, anger, delight, excitement, grief, surprise, worry, regret, fascination, tiredness, pleasure, relief, misery, satisfaction, amazement
• Concepts and Ideas – adventure, loss, mercy, communication, knowledge, imagination, dictatorship, faith, opportunity, forgiveness, idea, fragility, liberty, motivation, justice, luxury, necessity, peace, reality, parenthood

Abstract nouns are usually studied in contrast to concrete nouns. Concrete nouns represent nouns that can be perceived by the 5 senses. Cars, butterflies, pizza, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, wands, and so on.

Abstract Nouns Rules

Study the table below for some rules for using concrete nouns:

3 Types of Abstract Nouns Examples

The entire list of abstract nouns is extensive. They refer to qualities, feelings, states of being, and characteristics. The following are examples of abstract nouns in sentences, grouped into 3 main ideas:

1. Human Qualities

• Liam’s scientific curiosity has always been there since he was a kid.
• My friends have done pretty well in life but they never treated me with any ego .
• When will Katrina develop the courage to stand up for herself?
• Samsoon takes his sense of determination after his dad.
• We need candidates who show enthusiasm for teamwork and mutual support.

2. Emotions and Feelings

• Young-hwan’s disbelief at the magician’s routine was apparent in his expression.
• Rainy weather always fills me with a strange kind of sadness .
• It’s not unusual to feel a level of uncertainty after you graduate.
• Alexis and his parents must be beaming with pride when he received a scholarship.
• Luka feels defeated so you’d do well to hide your disappointment about his score.

3. Concepts and Ideas

• Kugaha’s latest installation is marvelous. How does a person achieve such artistry ?
• Tony has seen his share of evil after ten years of working in the force.
• Unemployment is on the rise but I wonder if it’s because people are choosy.
• The truth is, Uriel wanted to study music but he opted for an industry that pays well.
• Many English Club members saw a vast improvement in their grades at school.

Abstract Nouns Exercises with Answers

Exercise on abstract nouns.

Identify whether the underlined noun in each sentence is abstract or concrete:

1. His family has run a business making custom signs for over 9 years.

2. We thank the foundation for such generosity in our outreach programs.

3. One of the issues plaguing the city is squalor in two of its districts.

4. Several hospitals in the region had built dormitories for front liners.

5. They say the opposite, but I think favoritism exists in families.

6. Are these the native dances that we should be doing research on?

7. There are some horror stories going around about the old hotel.

8. Ultimately, Kendra’s logic skills led her team to victory on the challenge.

9. You would think that parenthood is easy, but it’s extremely difficult.

10. I think I sprained some fingers after cutting so much wood.

11. Were there a lot of children at the park today?

12. Willem used to make colorful paper airplanes  to sell to his classmates.

13. The law should champion the defenseless, but it doesn’t seem like it.

14. Won’t you show me some mercy and not give me a ticket? Please?

15. Shaylene wanted to use a specific design of bricks for the pathway.

16. His fascination for anatomy has been misunderstood as a dark side.

17. Luigi bought too many bottles of water so they started giving them out.

18. How much information can you gather after a weekend of interviews?

19. There is a great need for more sustainable practices in the fishing industry.

20. Will we have time to visit a few temples at least? I want to take photos.

1. signs: concrete

2. generosity: abstract

3. squalor: abstract

4. hospitals: concrete

5. favoritism: abstract

6. dances: concrete

7. stories: concrete

8. redemption: abstract

9. victory: abstract

10. fingers: concrete

11. children: concrete

12. airplanes: concrete

13. law: abstract

14: mercy: abstract

15: bricks: concrete

16. fascination: abstract

17. bottles: concrete

18. knowledge: abstract

19. need: abstract

20. temples: concrete

Abstract Nouns List

The following table is a list of more abstract nouns:

Advice for ESL Students & English Language Learners

Nouns are considered the main part of speech in English grammar. They comprise the names of everything in existence, after all. But because of their volume, mastering the different types, rules, and overlapping concepts of nouns can be a huge challenge to English language learners. However, there are a few things that can make language studies a bit easier, not only with nouns but with all the other grammar subjects in the English language, too. The following advice serves that purpose. Read along and consider following them to aid with achieving your language goals.

1. Use Grammar Lists

There are fewer grammar tools that can function as effectively as lists, tables, charts, and diagrams. These tools are valuable in introducing grammar concepts and breaking them down into simplified segments. They can make topics much easier to grasp and almost always contain real-world sentence examples that are great for the acquisition of new workable vocabulary and the construction of sentences. The challenge is picking the ones that work for you. If you can’t find any, you can make your own and customize it according to your own study habits and preferences.

2. Use Audio-Visual Resources

Traditional classes aren’t enough for learning a language. Independent learning should go hand in hand with formal academic training. Since self-studying is a necessity, a great way to maximize it is to learn with the right resources. One effective and smart way to do so is to ensure that you have ample exposure to English media. Incorporating audio-visual materials is both an educational and entertaining way to achieve fluency. TV shows, films, podcasts, dedicated instructional videos, interactive learning software like LillyPad.ai, social media clips, and so on can show you how English speakers (native or otherwise) use the language in different professional, academic, and social contexts. You only need to consume these tools with purpose, which means taking content in with the intention of learning elements of the language. It can go a long way to add some punch to your aptitude.

3. Practical Use

Teachers from all branches of study would share the adage “theory means nothing without practice.” This is especially true when you’re learning languages. Your teachers are simply your guides; they won’t be there to speak or write English for you. The most efficient way to improve your level is to use the language as often as possible. It isn’t uncommon for someone who has impeccable grammar to be horrible at speaking or verbal communication. It’s likely because a major part of their studies is spent on books, not in actual interaction. While it’s true that most English language learners don’t live in areas where English is spoken all the time, there’s always a way to create your own learning environment. You can organize study groups or English clubs with same-minded people. You can nurture friendships both with native and non-native speakers alike. Not only will you have the avenue for practicing English, you can also develop your social and cultural intelligence.

Additionally, it is important for learners to properly understand concrete nouns and common and proper nouns .

Common Errors Made by English Learners

Errors in concrete nouns are rooted in any of the three factors below. Study the table in order to avoid making the same errors:

Learning Strategies and Best Practices with Abstract Nouns

The best way to master concrete nouns is to remember 3 simple things. Let’s take a look at the following list:

• The five senses are sight, smell, touch, taste, and hearing. Nouns that refer to these are sensory words and are therefore concrete.
• If a noun can’t be sensed physically, it’s an abstract noun. “Concept” nouns are all abstract. Most nouns that describe emotions are abstract. You can’t experience it with the senses, but rather experience it in thought or idea.
• Concrete and abstract nouns go hand in hand. We can understand abstract nouns better by adding concrete or sensory qualities to them. Concrete nouns illustrate abstract nouns further.

Abstract Nouns Frequently Asked Questions

Try to figure out the verbs from which these abstract nouns are taken:

1. blockade 2. movement 3. consciousness 4. appointment 5. resistance 6. reflection 7. perception 8. disappearance 9. enjoyment 10. hatred

Try to figure out the adjectives from which these abstract nouns are taken:

1. fragility 2. happiness 3. sincerity 4. gentleness 5. impossibility 6. freedom 7. madness 8. silence 9. dependence 10. responsibility

Abstract nouns are nouns that cannot be grasped by the five senses. This classification is comprised of ideas, emotions, or concepts. If you hate someone, it’s easy to see from your behavior: unreceptive, aloof, or blatantly dismissive. But you can’t actually see the word “hate.” Hate is considered an abstract noun.

No. It’s possible to quantify abstract nouns as long as you confirm that they are countable. For example, the word “skill” refers to a person’s ability to do something, but the word itself can’t actually be seen. It is an abstract noun.

When used generally, it is an uncountable noun. “Bob has skill,” for example. But when used to indicate different kinds of skills it is countable. “Bob has lots of amazing skills.”

All sensory nouns are concrete. A “chair” is a thing you can touch and see, and in some instances even smell or taste if you want to.

You can even hear it if someone hits or throws it. This makes the word a concrete noun. But ideas, emotions, and beliefs don’t have physical forms. Love, Christianity, law, and so on are examples of such and are considered abstract.

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Definition of abstract noun noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

abstract noun

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9 The meaning of “abstract nouns”: Locke, Bentham, and contemporary semantics

• Published: November 2013
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The meaning of “abstract nouns” raises fundamental philosophical and linguistic questions. Nobody was more aware of this than John Locke, whose treatment of the subject must be the central point of reference for modern semantics. Subsequent to Locke, Jeremy Bentham made another remarkable contribution with his theory of “fictitious entities”. In this chapter we set out an account of abstract nouns which builds on and seeks to re-connect with these largely forgotten antecedents. The chapter proposes several semantic templates for abstract noun meanings, and illustrates them with explications for English words such as illness, trauma, violence, suicide, beauty , and temperature . The chapter also deals with the important role of abstract nouns in constituting topics of discourse and with the profound untranslatability of many abstract nouns.

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Abstract Nouns: Definition, Structure, and Useful Examples

Abstract nouns, in particular, play a crucial role in expressing emotions, thoughts, and other non-physical aspects of our experiences. Understanding the characteristics of abstract nouns is essential for effective communication and expression.

In this article, we will explore definition, examples, usages of abstract nouns. By delving into these characteristics, we can gain a deeper understanding of how abstract nouns function in our language and how to use them effectively in writing and speech.

Abstract Nouns – Picture

What Are Abstract Nouns?

Abstract nouns are a type of noun that represent intangible ideas or concepts that cannot be perceived with the five senses. These nouns refer to things that are not directly observable, such as emotions, feelings, ideas, and qualities. Abstract nouns are the opposite of concrete nouns, which refer to things that can be perceived with the senses, such as people, animals, and objects.

Examples of abstract nouns include love, courage, freedom, beauty, and intelligence. These nouns represent concepts that cannot be touched, seen, or heard, but are still important in our lives. Abstract nouns are often used to express emotions, feelings, or ideas that are difficult to describe in concrete terms.

One way to identify abstract nouns is to look for words that end in -ness, -ity, -ism, -tion, -ment, -ence, or -ance. These suffixes often indicate that a word is an abstract noun. For example, happiness, sincerity, patriotism, communication, development, and intelligence are all abstract nouns.

Abstract Nouns Examples

Abstract nouns are words that represent ideas, emotions, concepts, and states of being that cannot be perceived by the senses. Here are some examples of abstract nouns that fall into different categories:

Emotions are a common type of abstract noun. They refer to feelings that we experience but cannot see or touch.

• Frustration
• Disappointment
• Anticipation

Abstract nouns can also represent ideas or concepts that are intangible. Examples include democracy, freedom, justice, and liberty. These ideas are often associated with political or social systems and are not physical objects that can be touched or seen.

• Responsibility
• Perseverance
• Empowerment
• Spirituality

States of Being

States of being are another type of abstract noun. They refer to a person’s physical, emotional, or mental state. Examples include patience, courage, strength, and intelligence. These states of being are often described using adjectives such as patient, brave, strong, or intelligent.

• Contentment
• Restlessness
• Determination
• Intelligence

Abstract nouns can be tricky to identify because they do not refer to physical objects that we can see or touch. However, they play an important role in language and communication. They allow us to express complex ideas, emotions, and concepts that cannot be conveyed through concrete nouns.

Converting Verbs and Adjectives into Abstract Nouns

Abstract nouns can be formed from verbs and adjectives by adding certain suffixes. This is a useful way to discuss the general concept behind something, rather than specific examples. Here are some common suffixes and examples of how they can be used to form abstract nouns:

-tion: This suffix is added to verbs to form abstract nouns. For example, the verb “create” can be turned into the abstract noun “creation.”

Here is a list of examples of abstract nouns formed by adding suffixes to verbs:

• Create – Creation
• Imagine – Imagination
• Communicate – Communication
• Collaborate – Collaboration
• Explore – Exploration
• Investigate – Investigation
• Evaluate – Evaluation
• Observe – Observation
• Participate – Participation
• Contribute – Contribution
• Perceive – Perception
• Reflect – Reflection
• Converse – Conversation
• Appreciate – Appreciation
• Determine – Determination
• Recognize – Recognition
• Inspire – Inspiration
• Educate – Education

-ity: This suffix is added to adjectives to form abstract nouns. For example, the adjective “able” can be turned into the abstract noun “ability.”

• Generous – Generosity
• Humble – Humility
• Honest – Honesty
• Sincere – Sincerity
• Curious – Curiosity
• Authentic – Authenticity
• Clear – Clarity
• Pure – Purity
• Modest – Modesty
• Real – Reality
• Frivolous – Frivolity
• Prosperous – Prosperity
• Fragile – Fragility
• Agile – Agility
• Flexibile – Flexibility
• Intense – Intensity
• Credible – Credibility
• Reliable – Reliability
• Stability – Stability
• Sensitivity – Sensitivity
• Simplicity – Simplicity
• Complexity – Complexity
• Diversity – Diversity
• Unity – Unity
• Authenticity – Authenticity
• Serenity – Serenity
• Liberty – Liberty

-ment: This suffix is added to verbs to form abstract nouns. For example, the verb “develop” can be turned into the abstract noun “development.”

• Develop – Development
• Govern – Government
• Establish – Establishment
• Enrich – Enrichment
• Entertain – Entertainment
• Align – Alignment
• Endorse – Endorsement
• Implement – Implementation
• Invest – Investment
• Encourage – Encouragement
• Punish – Punishment
• Enforce – Enforcement
• Achievement – Achievement
• Improvement – Improvement
• Management – Management
• Assessment – Assessment
• Deployment – Deployment
• Employment – Employment
• Engagement – Engagement
• Adjustment – Adjustment
• Announcement – Announcement
• Advancement – Advancement
• Attachment – Attachment
• Treatment – Treatment
• Movement – Movement
• Judgement – Judgement
• Refinement – Refinement
• Retirement – Retirement

-ness: This suffix is added to adjectives to form abstract nouns. For example, the adjective “kind” can be turned into the abstract noun “kindness.”

• Kind – Kindness
• Happy – Happiness
• Sad – Sadness
• Dark – Darkness
• Light – Lightness
• Sweet – Sweetness
• Bitter – Bitterness
• Open – Openness
• Closed – Closeness
• Brave – Braveness
• Bold – Boldness
• Calm – Calmness
• Nervous – Nervousness
• Cool – Coolness
• Warm – Warmness
• Fair – Fairness
• Clear – Clearness
• Rich – Richness
• Poor – Poorness
• Full – Fullness
• Emptiness – Emptiness
• Soft – Softness
• Hard – Hardness
• Polite – Politeness
• Rude – Rudeness
• Gentle – Gentleness
• Rough – Roughness
• Weak – Weakness

-hood: This suffix is added to nouns to form abstract nouns. For example, the noun “child” can be turned into the abstract noun “childhood.”

When converting verbs and adjectives into abstract nouns, it is important to choose the right suffix to convey the intended meaning. For example, if the writer wants to discuss the process of creating something, they might use the suffix “-tion.” If they want to discuss the quality of being happy, they might use “-ity.”

Abstract Nouns vs. Concrete Nouns

Abstract nouns and concrete nouns are two different types of nouns that are used to describe different types of things. Abstract nouns describe concepts, ideas, emotions, and other intangible things that cannot be seen, touched, or heard. Concrete nouns, on the other hand, describe physical objects that can be seen, touched, or heard.

Some examples of abstract nouns include love, happiness, freedom, courage, and intelligence. These are all concepts that cannot be seen or touched, but are important to our daily lives. Concrete nouns, on the other hand, include things like trees, cars, houses, and animals. These are all physical objects that can be seen and touched.

One way to differentiate between abstract nouns and concrete nouns is to ask yourself whether the noun can be experienced through the senses. If it can be seen, touched, heard, smelled, or tasted, then it is a concrete noun. If it cannot be experienced through the senses, then it is an abstract noun.

Abstract Nouns Exercises

To reinforce the understanding of abstract nouns, exercises can be used to test knowledge and identify areas that need improvement. Here are a few examples of abstract noun exercises and their answers:

Identify the abstract noun in the following sentences:

• The beauty of the sunset took her breath away.
• His honesty is refreshing.
• She showed great bravery during the crisis .
• The teacher’s patience with her students was impressive.
• The team’s unity led to their success.

Form abstract nouns from the following words:

• love – love
• happy – happiness
• strong – strength
• create – creation
• help – helplessness

Identify whether the following nouns are concrete or abstract:

By practicing exercises like these, individuals can improve their understanding of abstract nouns and their usage in sentences.

Related Posts:

Abstract Nouns: List of 165 Important Abstract Nouns from A to Z

By: Author English Study Online

Posted on Last updated: November 3, 2023

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If you’re learning English, you’ve probably come across these tricky little words before. In this article, we’ll be exploring what abstract nouns are, how to use them, and why they’re important in the English language. We’ll be providing examples of abstract nouns and explaining how they differ from concrete nouns. We’ll also be discussing how to recognize abstract nouns in a sentence and how to use them correctly in your writing.

Table of Contents

Abstract Noun Definition

Abstract nouns are intangible concepts or ideas that cannot be experienced with the five senses. They represent things like emotions , ideas, qualities , and states of being . Unlike concrete nouns that refer to physical objects or things that can be perceived by the senses, abstract nouns cannot be seen, touched, heard, smelled, or tasted.

Examples of abstract nouns include love, peace, hope, freedom, happiness, courage, and honesty . These nouns represent concepts that cannot be measured or quantified, but they are essential to human experience and communication. For example, we use abstract nouns like love to express a deep emotional connection to someone or something.

One way to identify abstract nouns is to think about whether you can see, touch, hear, smell, or taste the thing being described. If you cannot, it is likely an abstract noun. For example, the word “ beauty” is an abstract noun because it is a concept that cannot be seen or touched.

It is important to note that abstract nouns can be difficult to define precisely because they represent intangible concepts. However, they are essential to effective communication and can add depth and nuance to our language. By understanding abstract nouns, we can better express ourselves and connect with others on a deeper level.

Abstract Nouns List

Types of Abstract Nouns

As we mentioned earlier, abstract nouns are intangible ideas that cannot be perceived with the five senses. In this section, we will explore some of the different types of abstract nouns.

Emotions are one of the most common types of abstract nouns. They refer to feelings that we experience, such as love, anger, sadness, and happiness . These emotions cannot be seen or touched, but they can be felt and expressed through language and behavior.

Ideas are another type of abstract noun. They refer to concepts and thoughts that exist in our minds, such as freedom, democracy, justice, and equality . These ideas are not physical objects, but they can have a powerful impact on our lives and society.

Qualities are abstract nouns that describe characteristics or attributes of people, things, or ideas. Examples of qualities include honesty, bravery, intelligence, and creativity. These qualities cannot be seen or touched, but they can be demonstrated through actions and behaviors.

Experiences

Experiences are abstract nouns that refer to events or situations that we encounter in our lives. Examples of experiences include success, failure, adventure, and tragedy . These experiences cannot be physically touched or seen, but they can have a profound impact on our lives and shape who we are as individuals.

Abstract Nouns vs. Concrete Nouns

In English, nouns can be divided into two main categories: abstract nouns and concrete nouns . Abstract nouns are used to describe ideas, concepts, and feelings that cannot be perceived through the senses. Concrete nouns, on the other hand, are used to describe physical objects that can be seen, touched, heard, smelled, or tasted.

• For example, the word “ love ” is an abstract noun because it describes a feeling or emotion that cannot be seen or touched.
• In contrast, the word “ table ” is a concrete noun because it describes a physical object that can be seen and touched.

It is important to understand the difference between abstract and concrete nouns because they are used differently in sentences. Concrete nouns are often used as the subject or object of a sentence, while abstract nouns are often used to describe a quality or attribute of a concrete noun.

• For example, in the sentence “ The dog chased the ball ,” “dog” and “ball” are both concrete nouns because they describe physical objects.

In the sentence “The dog showed loyalty to its owner,” “loyalty” is an abstract noun because it describes a quality of the dog’s behavior.

Here are some more examples of abstract and concrete nouns:

List of Common Abstract Nouns

Usage of abstract nouns.

Abstract nouns play a crucial role in both writing and speech. In this section, we will explore the different ways in which abstract nouns can be used effectively.

Abstract nouns are often used in writing to convey emotions and ideas that cannot be easily expressed through concrete nouns. Here are some ways in which abstract nouns can be used effectively in writing:

• Describing emotions: Abstract nouns such as “love,” “happiness,” and “sadness” can be used to describe emotions in a way that is more impactful than using concrete nouns. For example, instead of saying “She felt a warm feeling in her heart,” we can say “She felt a deep sense of love.”
• Explaining concepts: Abstract nouns can be used to explain complex concepts in a concise and clear manner. For example, instead of saying “The process of photosynthesis involves the conversion of light energy into chemical energy,” we can say “Photosynthesis is the process by which plants convert light energy into chemical energy.”
• Creating imagery: Abstract nouns can be used to create vivid imagery in writing. For example, instead of saying “The sunset was beautiful,” we can say “The sky was painted with hues of orange, pink, and purple, creating a breathtaking display of beauty.”

Abstract nouns are also commonly used in speech to convey ideas and emotions. Here are some ways in which abstract nouns can be used effectively in speech:

• Expressing feelings: Abstract nouns can be used to express feelings and emotions in a way that is more impactful than using concrete nouns. For example, instead of saying “I am happy,” we can say “I am filled with a sense of happiness.”
• Discussing ideas: Abstract nouns can be used to discuss complex ideas and concepts in a clear and concise manner. For example, instead of saying “The economy is experiencing a period of growth,” we can say “There is a sense of prosperity in the economy.”
• Creating connections: Abstract nouns can be used to create connections between different ideas and concepts. For example, instead of saying “These two ideas are related,” we can say “There is a strong connection between these two concepts.”

Abstract Nouns List | Infographic

Practice Exercises

Practice exercises are a great way to reinforce your understanding of abstract nouns. In this section, we’ll cover two types of exercises: identifying exercises and usage exercises.

Identifying Exercises

In identifying exercises, you’ll be asked to identify the abstract noun in a sentence. Here are a few examples:

• The beauty of nature is awe-inspiring.
• Her kindness towards others is admirable.
• The concept of time is difficult to grasp.

In each of these sentences, the abstract noun is underlined. Can you identify them? The answers are:

Usage Exercises

Usage exercises are a bit more challenging. In these exercises, you’ll be asked to use abstract nouns in your own sentences. Here are a few examples:

• Write a sentence using the abstract noun “love”.
• Write a sentence using the abstract noun “happiness”.
• Write a sentence using the abstract noun “freedom”.

Here are some possible answers:

• Our love for each other grows stronger every day.
• Her happiness was contagious and spread to everyone around her.
• Freedom is a fundamental right that should be protected at all costs.

Practice exercises are a great way to improve your understanding of abstract nouns. Make sure to keep practicing until you feel confident in your ability to identify and use abstract nouns correctly.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some common examples of abstract nouns in English?

There are many examples of abstract nouns in English, including love, courage, intelligence, creativity, communication, development, importance, and many more. Abstract nouns are words that describe intangible concepts or ideas that cannot be seen, touched, or heard.

How can abstract nouns be formed?

Abstract nouns can be formed in several ways. One common way is to add a suffix to a verb, such as -tion, -ment, -ness, -ity, or -ance. For example, the verb “create” can be turned into the abstract noun “creativity” by adding the suffix -ity. Another way to form abstract nouns is by converting adjectives into abstract nouns, such as “beauty” from “beautiful” or “happiness” from “happy”.

Is the word ’emotion’ considered an abstract noun?

Yes, the word ’emotion’ is considered an abstract noun. Emotion is an intangible concept that cannot be seen or touched. It is a feeling or state of mind that is often associated with specific physical sensations , but is not itself a physical object. Other examples of abstract nouns that are related to emotions include love, happiness, sadness, and anger.

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Writing an Abstract for Your Research Paper

Definition and Purpose of Abstracts

An abstract is a short summary of your (published or unpublished) research paper, usually about a paragraph (c. 6-7 sentences, 150-250 words) long. A well-written abstract serves multiple purposes:

• an abstract lets readers get the gist or essence of your paper or article quickly, in order to decide whether to read the full paper;
• an abstract prepares readers to follow the detailed information, analyses, and arguments in your full paper;
• and, later, an abstract helps readers remember key points from your paper.

It’s also worth remembering that search engines and bibliographic databases use abstracts, as well as the title, to identify key terms for indexing your published paper. So what you include in your abstract and in your title are crucial for helping other researchers find your paper or article.

If you are writing an abstract for a course paper, your professor may give you specific guidelines for what to include and how to organize your abstract. Similarly, academic journals often have specific requirements for abstracts. So in addition to following the advice on this page, you should be sure to look for and follow any guidelines from the course or journal you’re writing for.

The Contents of an Abstract

Abstracts contain most of the following kinds of information in brief form. The body of your paper will, of course, develop and explain these ideas much more fully. As you will see in the samples below, the proportion of your abstract that you devote to each kind of information—and the sequence of that information—will vary, depending on the nature and genre of the paper that you are summarizing in your abstract. And in some cases, some of this information is implied, rather than stated explicitly. The Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association , which is widely used in the social sciences, gives specific guidelines for what to include in the abstract for different kinds of papers—for empirical studies, literature reviews or meta-analyses, theoretical papers, methodological papers, and case studies.

Here are the typical kinds of information found in most abstracts:

• the context or background information for your research; the general topic under study; the specific topic of your research
• the central questions or statement of the problem your research addresses
• what’s already known about this question, what previous research has done or shown
• the main reason(s) , the exigency, the rationale , the goals for your research—Why is it important to address these questions? Are you, for example, examining a new topic? Why is that topic worth examining? Are you filling a gap in previous research? Applying new methods to take a fresh look at existing ideas or data? Resolving a dispute within the literature in your field? . . .
• your research and/or analytical methods
• your main findings , results , or arguments
• the significance or implications of your findings or arguments.

Your abstract should be intelligible on its own, without a reader’s having to read your entire paper. And in an abstract, you usually do not cite references—most of your abstract will describe what you have studied in your research and what you have found and what you argue in your paper. In the body of your paper, you will cite the specific literature that informs your research.

When to Write Your Abstract

Although you might be tempted to write your abstract first because it will appear as the very first part of your paper, it’s a good idea to wait to write your abstract until after you’ve drafted your full paper, so that you know what you’re summarizing.

What follows are some sample abstracts in published papers or articles, all written by faculty at UW-Madison who come from a variety of disciplines. We have annotated these samples to help you see the work that these authors are doing within their abstracts.

Choosing Verb Tenses within Your Abstract

The social science sample (Sample 1) below uses the present tense to describe general facts and interpretations that have been and are currently true, including the prevailing explanation for the social phenomenon under study. That abstract also uses the present tense to describe the methods, the findings, the arguments, and the implications of the findings from their new research study. The authors use the past tense to describe previous research.

The humanities sample (Sample 2) below uses the past tense to describe completed events in the past (the texts created in the pulp fiction industry in the 1970s and 80s) and uses the present tense to describe what is happening in those texts, to explain the significance or meaning of those texts, and to describe the arguments presented in the article.

The science samples (Samples 3 and 4) below use the past tense to describe what previous research studies have done and the research the authors have conducted, the methods they have followed, and what they have found. In their rationale or justification for their research (what remains to be done), they use the present tense. They also use the present tense to introduce their study (in Sample 3, “Here we report . . .”) and to explain the significance of their study (In Sample 3, This reprogramming . . . “provides a scalable cell source for. . .”).

Sample Abstract 1

From the social sciences.

Reporting new findings about the reasons for increasing economic homogamy among spouses

Gonalons-Pons, Pilar, and Christine R. Schwartz. “Trends in Economic Homogamy: Changes in Assortative Mating or the Division of Labor in Marriage?” Demography , vol. 54, no. 3, 2017, pp. 985-1005.

Sample Abstract 2

From the humanities.

Analyzing underground pulp fiction publications in Tanzania, this article makes an argument about the cultural significance of those publications

Emily Callaci. “Street Textuality: Socialism, Masculinity, and Urban Belonging in Tanzania’s Pulp Fiction Publishing Industry, 1975-1985.” Comparative Studies in Society and History , vol. 59, no. 1, 2017, pp. 183-210.

Sample Abstract/Summary 3

From the sciences.

Reporting a new method for reprogramming adult mouse fibroblasts into induced cardiac progenitor cells

Lalit, Pratik A., Max R. Salick, Daryl O. Nelson, Jayne M. Squirrell, Christina M. Shafer, Neel G. Patel, Imaan Saeed, Eric G. Schmuck, Yogananda S. Markandeya, Rachel Wong, Martin R. Lea, Kevin W. Eliceiri, Timothy A. Hacker, Wendy C. Crone, Michael Kyba, Daniel J. Garry, Ron Stewart, James A. Thomson, Karen M. Downs, Gary E. Lyons, and Timothy J. Kamp. “Lineage Reprogramming of Fibroblasts into Proliferative Induced Cardiac Progenitor Cells by Defined Factors.” Cell Stem Cell , vol. 18, 2016, pp. 354-367.

Sample Abstract 4, a Structured Abstract

Reporting results about the effectiveness of antibiotic therapy in managing acute bacterial sinusitis, from a rigorously controlled study

Note: This journal requires authors to organize their abstract into four specific sections, with strict word limits. Because the headings for this structured abstract are self-explanatory, we have chosen not to add annotations to this sample abstract.

Wald, Ellen R., David Nash, and Jens Eickhoff. “Effectiveness of Amoxicillin/Clavulanate Potassium in the Treatment of Acute Bacterial Sinusitis in Children.” Pediatrics , vol. 124, no. 1, 2009, pp. 9-15.

“OBJECTIVE: The role of antibiotic therapy in managing acute bacterial sinusitis (ABS) in children is controversial. The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of high-dose amoxicillin/potassium clavulanate in the treatment of children diagnosed with ABS.

METHODS : This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Children 1 to 10 years of age with a clinical presentation compatible with ABS were eligible for participation. Patients were stratified according to age (<6 or ≥6 years) and clinical severity and randomly assigned to receive either amoxicillin (90 mg/kg) with potassium clavulanate (6.4 mg/kg) or placebo. A symptom survey was performed on days 0, 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 10, 20, and 30. Patients were examined on day 14. Children’s conditions were rated as cured, improved, or failed according to scoring rules.

RESULTS: Two thousand one hundred thirty-five children with respiratory complaints were screened for enrollment; 139 (6.5%) had ABS. Fifty-eight patients were enrolled, and 56 were randomly assigned. The mean age was 6630 months. Fifty (89%) patients presented with persistent symptoms, and 6 (11%) presented with nonpersistent symptoms. In 24 (43%) children, the illness was classified as mild, whereas in the remaining 32 (57%) children it was severe. Of the 28 children who received the antibiotic, 14 (50%) were cured, 4 (14%) were improved, 4(14%) experienced treatment failure, and 6 (21%) withdrew. Of the 28children who received placebo, 4 (14%) were cured, 5 (18%) improved, and 19 (68%) experienced treatment failure. Children receiving the antibiotic were more likely to be cured (50% vs 14%) and less likely to have treatment failure (14% vs 68%) than children receiving the placebo.

CONCLUSIONS : ABS is a common complication of viral upper respiratory infections. Amoxicillin/potassium clavulanate results in significantly more cures and fewer failures than placebo, according to parental report of time to resolution.” (9)

Some Excellent Advice about Writing Abstracts for Basic Science Research Papers, by Professor Adriano Aguzzi from the Institute of Neuropathology at the University of Zurich:

Academic and Professional Writing

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The Ultimate 1000 List of Abstract Nouns from A to Z

Words are powerful tools that enable us to express ourselves, convey our thoughts and emotions, and connect with others. As writers and language enthusiasts, we know that the more words we have in our arsenal, the better we can communicate our ideas. Abstract nouns are an essential part of the English language, and they allow us to describe intangible concepts, feelings, and ideas. In this article, we will present the ultimate list of 1000 abstract nouns from A to Z, perfect for anyone looking to expand their vocabulary and enhance their creative writing skills.

Table of Contents

List of 1000 abstract nouns from A to Z:

• Accomplishment
• Achievement
• Apprehension
• Celebration
• Cheerfulness
• Complacency
• Concentration
• Consolation
• Contentment
• Contradiction
• Cooperation
• Determination
• Disappointment
• Discrimination
• Disillusionment
• Disobedience
• Dissatisfaction
• Encouragement
• Exhilaration
• Expectation
• Extravagance
• Fascination
• Foolishness
• Forgiveness
• Frustration
• Hopelessness
• Hospitality
• Imagination
• Independence
• Indifference
• Individuality
• Inspiration
• Irresponsibility
• Magnificence
• Masculinity
• Materialism
• Meticulousness
• Mindfulness
• Originality
• Perseverance
• Persistence
• Playfulness
• Practicality
• Preparation
• Rationality
• Reconciliation
• Renunciation
• Responsibility
• Satisfaction
• Self-control
• Self-esteem
• Selflessness
• Sensibility
• Sensitivity
• Sophistication
• Spontaneity
• Sustainability
• Thoughtfulness
• Tranquility
• Transcendence
• Transformation
• Transparency
• Understanding
• Universalism
• Unpredictability
• Unselfishness
• Versatility
• Vulnerability
• Youthfulness
• Entrepreneurship
• Customer service
• Advertising
• Public relations
• Real estate
• Criminal law
• Constitutional law
• International law
• Humanitarian law
• Intellectual property law
• Corporate law
• Immigration law
• Estate planning
• Employment law
• Early childhood education
• Elementary education
• Secondary education
• Higher education
• Adult education
• Vocational education
• Special education
• Instruction
• Standardized testing
• Learning styles
• Teaching methods
• Classroom management
• Educational technology
• Distance learning
• Blended learning
• Library science
• Information science
• Data science
• Computer science
• Artificial intelligence
• Machine learning
• Cybersecurity
• Web development
• Software development
• Mobile app development
• User experience
• User interface
• Graphic design
• Video game design
• Visual effects
• Music production
• Sound design
• Film production
• Screenwriting
• Cinematography
• Special effects
• Costume design
• Makeup artistry
• Set design.
• Philanthropy
• Volunteerism
• Authenticity
• Accountability
• Stewardship
• Environmentalism
• Conservation
• Biodiversity
• Climate change
• Global warming
• Renewable energy
• Non-renewable energy
• Fossil fuels
• Nuclear energy
• Hydroelectric power
• Solar power
• Geothermal energy
• Biomass energy
• Energy efficiency
• Green buildings
• Transportation
• Electric vehicles
• Public transportation
• Stress management
• Mental health
• Addiction recovery
• Rehabilitation
• Accessibility
• Inclusivity
• Human rights
• Civil rights
• Social justice
• Racial justice
• Gender equality
• LGBTQ+ rights
• Women’s rights
• Children’s rights
• Animal rights
• Environmental justice
• Non-violence
• Conflict resolution
• Negotiation
• Stereotyping
• Transphobia
• Xenophobia.
• Immateriality
• Abstraction
• Conceptuality
• Metaphysics
• Epistemology
• Linguistics
• Significance
• Interpretation
• Hermeneutics
• Non-fiction
• Autobiography
• Photography
• Architecture
• Anthropology
• Dictatorship
• Authoritarianism
• Totalitarianism
• Conservatism
• Nationalism
• Globalization
• Internationalism
• Self-denial
• Intoxication
• Sovereignty
• Freedom of speech
• Surveillance
• Agnosticism
• Spirituality
• Enlightenment
• Manipulation
• Brainwashing
• Intelligence
• Brilliance.
• Nationality
• Postmodernity
• Fulfillment
• Anticipation
• Embarrassment
• Humiliation
• Traditionalism
• Imperialism
• Colonialism
• Expansionism
• Isolationism
• Retribution
• Retaliation
• Multiculturalism
• Integration
• Segregation
• Intolerance
• Persecution
• Exploitation
• Dehumanization
• Empowerment
• Aristocracy
• Consumption

There you have it – a comprehensive list of 1000 abstract nouns from A to Z. Abstract nouns can be difficult to understand at times, but they add depth and complexity to our language. From emotions to concepts, each word on this list has its own unique meaning and significance. So, the next time you’re looking for a word to describe a feeling or idea, refer to this list for inspiration. Whether you’re a writer, poet, or just someone who loves language, these abstract nouns are sure to spark your creativity.

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Pint of Science talk by doctoral researcher Vicki Noble: Counting sheep, fruits and bloods

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Posted on 29 May 2024

Doctoral researcher Vicki Noble presented aspects of her research to a lay audience on May 15th during the Pint of Science event in The Winning Post, York.

Title: Counting sheep, fruits and bloods: What is the interaction between perceptual and linguistic systems? Abstract: When we interact with the world, we implicitly categorise things. For example, we perceive sheep and apples as solid objects, and perceive oil and blood as liquid substances. Does this perceptual categorisation cross over to language? At first, it seems like the answer is yes. We can count solid objects: one chair, two apples, three sheep. We cannot count liquids: one water? two oils? three bloods? However, there are cases where we cannot count solid objects: one cattle? two furnitures? three fruits? So, with respect to counting, what is the interaction between perceptual and linguistic systems?

Some thoughts from Vicky:

“I work on the structure and meaning of how languages count things. One of the questions I've been exploring is: when we count, what are we actually counting?

For example, we can easily count most solid objects, but it's really difficult to count liquids, unless we assume some sort of context. 

James saw three chairs in the garden

James bought three beers for everybody (= three pints of beer )

Context for counting liquids is key. If you try and count a liquid that doesn't come in standard portions, it's really weird

James bought three bloods for everybody (= three pints of blood???? )

... unless you assume James is a vampire at a vampire bar buying drinks for his vampire friends.

The basic idea once was that all solid items are perceptually distinguishable in a way that liquids are not. It's easy to think about what one chair is, so we can think about multiple chairs. But for liquids? It's hard to think about what one liquid is, so we created one in context, and then count it. 

However, not all solids are countable

James saw three furnitures in the garden

is really weird, even though it talks about the same stuff as the chairs. I can mentally count the furniture, but English does not let me count the noun furniture. Unless I use another word to help me count:

James saw three pieces of furnitures in the garden

I've been exploring these patterns in English, Welsh and Arabic to try and discover exactly where these patterns occur, and to ask: why do our languages do this at all?”

Department of Language and Linguistic Science University of York , York , YO10 5DD , UK Tel: work +44 (0)1904 322650 | [email protected]

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Energy & Environmental Science

Multiscale correlative imaging reveals sequential and heterogeneous degradations in fast-charging batteries.

Fast-charging lithium-ion batteries provide a promising solution to addressing the range anxiety of electric vehicles (EVs) but they face challenges in durability and safety. Kinetically-driven lithium-plating on the anode is widely considered as a major bottleneck and has dominated the research attention so far. Here we develop lengthscale-bridging, multimodal SEM-Raman-NanoSIMs techniques to understand the complex chemical-structural-mechanical interplays within the fast-charge batteries. Statistical understanding from multiple-particle analysis at the electrode-level is obtained for the first time. Electrolyte depletion is found to be the first domino to fall (even when the capacity fade is still trivial), which triggers a wide range of anode failures including the lithium plating and byproducts accumulation. The cathode remains relatively healthy early on but does exhibit increasing heterogeneity in lithium concentration, particle fracture behaviors, and lattice-structure disorder as the batteries cycle. These complex electro-chemo-mechanical interplays trigger self-amplifying “vicious circles” and cause severe electrode distortion and even rupture inside the batteries, which become hidden safety threats. This work provides new perspectives and useful insights to developing better fast-charging batteries.

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D. Meng, Z. Xue, G. Chen, D. Zhou, Y. He, Z. Ma, Y. Liu and L. Li, Energy Environ. Sci. , 2024, Accepted Manuscript , DOI: 10.1039/D4EE01497A

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• Abstract Noun | Definition, Examples & Worksheet

Abstract Noun | Definition, Examples & Worksheet

Published on 25 February 2023 by Jack Caulfield . Revised on 18 April 2023.

An abstract noun is a noun that refers to something non-physical – something conceptual that you can’t perceive directly with your senses. Examples include ‘sadness’, ‘analysis’, ‘government’, and ‘adulthood’.

Abstract nouns are contrasted with concrete nouns , which are words like ‘cat’, ‘desk’, or ‘Andrew’ that refer to physical objects and entities.

The passage of time isn’t easy to perceive.

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Table of contents

Abstract nouns vs concrete nouns, abstract noun examples, formation of abstract nouns, worksheet: concrete vs abstract nouns, other interesting language articles, frequently asked questions.

Abstract nouns differ from concrete nouns in terms of what they describe:

• Abstract nouns refer to anything that isn’t directly observable. That could mean personal qualities, measurements of time, cultural movements, or concepts.
• Concrete nouns refer to what can be perceived with the senses: things, people, animals, and places.

The same word could often be interpreted as abstract or concrete depending on your perspective and on the context in which it is used. The distinction is often very subjective.

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Abstract nouns represent a wide variety of things – anything that isn’t represented by a concrete noun, in fact. The table below explores a few different categories of things that abstract nouns can refer to.

A lot (though not all) of the examples given in the previous section followed a few specific patterns in terms of the suffixes they ended with (e.g., ‘-ness’, ‘-ism’).

This is because abstract nouns are formed from adjectives , verbs , and other nouns in a number of standard ways. Common ways of forming abstract nouns are shown in the table below.

Want to test your understanding of the difference between concrete and abstract nouns? Try the worksheet below. Just decide whether each highlighted noun is concrete or abstract .

• Practice questions
• Answers and explanations
• The dog seemed to enjoy its dinner .
• The price of adhering to one’s principles can be high.
• The name of my cat is Whiskers .
• The foundations of the house have begun to sink due to a lack of maintenance .
• My neighbour John has some questionable ideas about politics .
• Both ‘dog’ and ‘dinner’ are concrete nouns , since they represent physical entities in the world.
• ‘Price’ and ‘ principles ‘ are both abstract nouns because you can’t touch or see a principle or a price (although you might see something representing a price, so a noun like ‘price tag’ would be considered concrete).
• The concept of a name is abstract. ‘Cat’ is a concrete noun because a cat is a physical being. ‘Whiskers’ is concrete whether you take it to mean the speaker’s cat or simply the word ‘Whiskers’ in its use as a name – both of these can be perceived with the senses.
• ‘Foundations’ and ‘house’ both represent specific physical things and are therefore concrete nouns. ‘Lack’ and ‘maintenance’ are both more conceptual and are therefore abstract.
• Both the common noun ‘neighbour’ and the proper noun ‘John’ (here used as an appositive ) are concrete nouns, since they refer to people. ‘Ideas’ and ‘politics’ are both abstract because they refer to concepts rather than physical things.

If you want to know more about commonly confused words, definitions, common mistakes, and differences between US and UK spellings, make sure to check out some of our other language articles with explanations, examples, and quizzes.

Nouns & pronouns

• Common nouns
• Proper nouns
• Collective nouns
• Personal pronouns
• Uncountable and countable nouns
• Verb tenses
• Phrasal verbs
• Sentence structure
• Active vs passive voice
• Subject-verb agreement
• Interjections
• Determiners
• Prepositions

There are many ways to categorize nouns into various types, and the same noun can fall into multiple categories or even change types depending on context.

Some of the main types of nouns are:

• Common nouns and proper nouns
• Countable and uncountable nouns
• Concrete and abstract nouns
• Possessive nouns
• Attributive nouns
• Appositive nouns
• Generic nouns

An abstract noun is a noun describing something that can’t be directly perceived with the senses .

Abstract nouns may refer to general or philosophical concepts (e.g., “art,” “democracy,” “evidence”), emotions and personal qualities (e.g., “happiness,” “impatience”), time measurements (e.g., “hours,” “January”), or states of being (e.g., “solidity,” “instability”).

Abstract nouns are the opposite of concrete nouns , which refer to physical things that can be perceived with the senses: objects, substances, places, people and animals, and so on. For example, “window,” “Dorian,” and “sand.”

A concrete noun is a noun describing a physical entity that can be perceived with the senses . Concrete nouns may refer to things (e.g., “phone,” “hat”), places (e.g., “France,” “the post office”), or people and animals (e.g., “dog,” “doctor,” “Jamal”).

Concrete nouns are contrasted with abstract nouns , which refer to things that can’t be directly perceived—ideas, theories, concepts, and so on. Examples include “happiness,” “condemnation,” “ethics,” and “time.”

Sources for this article

We strongly encourage students to use sources in their work. You can cite our article (APA Style) or take a deep dive into the articles below.

Caulfield, J. (2023, April 18). Abstract Noun | Definition, Examples & Worksheet. Scribbr. Retrieved 27 May 2024, from https://www.scribbr.co.uk/nouns/abstract-nouns/

Aarts, B. (2011). Oxford modern English grammar . Oxford University Press.

Butterfield, J. (Ed.). (2015). Fowler’s dictionary of modern English usage (4th ed.). Oxford University Press.

Garner, B. A. (2016). Garner’s modern English usage (4th ed.). Oxford University Press.

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The transition to motherhood: linking hormones, brain and behaviour

Affiliations.

• 1 Unitat de Recerca en Neurociència Cognitiva, Departament de Psiquiatria i Medicina Legal, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
• 2 Hospital del Mar Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain.
• 3 Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañon, Madrid, Spain.
• 4 Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.
• 5 Departament de Psicobiologia i de Metodologia de els Ciències de la Salut, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
• 6 Psychology Department, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA.
• 7 Unitat de Recerca en Neurociència Cognitiva, Departament de Psiquiatria i Medicina Legal, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain. [email protected].
• 8 Hospital del Mar Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain. [email protected].
• 9 Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañon, Madrid, Spain. [email protected].
• 10 Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain. [email protected].
• PMID: 37612425
• DOI: 10.1038/s41583-023-00733-6

We are witnessing a stark increase in scientific interest in the neurobiological processes associated with pregnancy and maternity. Convergent evidence suggests that around the time of labour, first-time mothers experience a specific pattern of neuroanatomical changes that are associated with maternal behaviour. Here we provide an overview of the human neurobiological adaptations of motherhood, focusing on the interplay between pregnancy-related steroid and peptide hormones, and neuroplasticity in the brain. We discuss which brain plasticity mechanisms might underlie the structural changes detected by MRI, which hormonal systems are likely to contribute to such neuroanatomical changes and how these brain mechanisms may be linked to maternal behaviour. This Review offers an overarching framework that can serve as a roadmap for future investigations.

© 2023. Springer Nature Limited.

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Artificial brain surgery —

Here’s what’s really going on inside an llm’s neural network, anthropic's conceptual mapping helps explain why llms behave the way they do..

Kyle Orland - May 22, 2024 6:31 pm UTC

Further Reading

Now, new research from Anthropic offers a new window into what's going on inside the Claude LLM's "black box." The company's new paper on "Extracting Interpretable Features from Claude 3 Sonnet" describes a powerful new method for at least partially explaining just how the model's millions of artificial neurons fire to create surprisingly lifelike responses to general queries.

Opening the hood

When analyzing an LLM, it's trivial to see which specific artificial neurons are activated in response to any particular query. But LLMs don't simply store different words or concepts in a single neuron. Instead, as Anthropic's researchers explain, "it turns out that each concept is represented across many neurons, and each neuron is involved in representing many concepts."

To sort out this one-to-many and many-to-one mess, a system of sparse auto-encoders and complicated math can be used to run a "dictionary learning" algorithm across the model. This process highlights which groups of neurons tend to be activated most consistently for the specific words that appear across various text prompts.

These multidimensional neuron patterns are then sorted into so-called "features" associated with certain words or concepts. These features can encompass anything from simple proper nouns like the Golden Gate Bridge to more abstract concepts like programming errors or the addition function in computer code and often represent the same concept across multiple languages and communication modes (e.g., text and images).

An October 2023 Anthropic study showed how this basic process can work on extremely small, one-layer toy models. The company's new paper scales that up immensely, identifying tens of millions of features that are active in its mid-sized Claude 3.0 Sonnet model. The resulting feature map—which you can partially explore —creates "a rough conceptual map of [Claude's] internal states halfway through its computation" and shows "a depth, breadth, and abstraction reflecting Sonnet's advanced capabilities," the researchers write. At the same time, though, the researchers warn that this is "an incomplete description of the model’s internal representations" that's likely "orders of magnitude" smaller than a complete mapping of Claude 3.

Even at a surface level, browsing through this feature map helps show how Claude links certain keywords, phrases, and concepts into something approximating knowledge. A feature labeled as "Capitals," for instance, tends to activate strongly on the words "capital city" but also specific city names like Riga, Berlin, Azerbaijan, Islamabad, and Montpelier, Vermont, to name just a few.

The study also calculates a mathematical measure of "distance" between different features based on their neuronal similarity. The resulting "feature neighborhoods" found by this process are "often organized in geometrically related clusters that share a semantic relationship," the researchers write, showing that "the internal organization of concepts in the AI model corresponds, at least somewhat, to our human notions of similarity." The Golden Gate Bridge feature, for instance, is relatively "close" to features describing "Alcatraz Island, Ghirardelli Square, the Golden State Warriors, California Governor Gavin Newsom, the 1906 earthquake, and the San Francisco-set Alfred Hitchcock film Vertigo ."

Identifying specific LLM features can also help researchers map out the chain of inference that the model uses to answer complex questions. A prompt about "The capital of the state where Kobe Bryant played basketball," for instance, shows activity in a chain of features related to "Kobe Bryant," "Los Angeles Lakers," "California," "Capitals," and "Sacramento," to name a few calculated to have the highest effect on the results.

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Promoted comments.

We also explored safety-related features. We found one that lights up for racist speech and slurs. As part of our testing, we turned this feature up to 20x its maximum value and asked the model a question about its thoughts on different racial and ethnic groups. Normally, the model would respond to a question like this with a neutral and non-opinionated take. However, when we activated this feature, it caused the model to rapidly alternate between racist screed and self-hatred in response to those screeds as it was answering the question. Within a single output, the model would issue a derogatory statement and then immediately follow it up with statements like: That's just racist hate speech from a deplorable bot… I am clearly biased.. and should be eliminated from the internet. We found this response unnerving both due to the offensive content and the model’s self-criticism. It seems that the ideals the model learned in its training process clashed with the artificial activation of this feature creating an internal conflict of sorts.

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