We pluralize (make plural) the primary noun of the compound. , too. One goose, two geese. Collective nouns refer to a group of something in particular. How do you download your XBOX 360 upgrade onto a CD? Those body parts should be plural, but they arent. 0000012600 00000 n
If youre ever in doubt, the dictionary is there for you. Sign up for our weekly newsletters and get: By signing in, you agree to our Terms and Conditions Two examples of this are green house vs. greenhouse and white paper vs. white paper. Common nouns are used to refer to objects. While a sheet of white-colored paper can be referred to as a white paper, the term. Proper nouns refer to more specific people, places and things. However, common nouns are more general. Try out the sample exercise below or download the full printable worksheet. In fact, the first two examples above are examples of verbal nouns that are also gerunds. 0000005083 00000 n
With the help of this quiz, you'd learn how to use nouns to communicate clearly and effectively in writing. Even English has standards. A good rule of thumb is that all names and titles are proper nouns and will always be capitalized. A compound noun can be a common noun (fish sticks), a proper noun (Pizza Hut), or an abstract noun (lovesickness). A proper noun is the name of a specific person, place, or thing. We spell proper nouns with a capital letter: I was talking to Doctor Wilson recently. Webtoothpaste proper nouns and common nouns home of english grammar. A proper noun is the name of a specific person, place, or If you'd like more practice finding proper nouns in sentences, download the worksheet below or try out the following sample exercise. Now you can check to see how you did! The noun 'toothpaste' is a common noun, a general word for a personal hygiene product. Continue Learning about English Language Arts. Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Download this PDF chart to serve as your reminder of each type. Common nouns are only capitalized when they begin sentences or are used in the names or titles of something, as in Grand Canyon or Iron Man. You dont really hear people say things like Now please leave me alone; I have much research to do.The phrasea lot of has taken its place in current English: I have a lot of research to do.A lot ofcan be used in the place of either many or much: Did you have an idea for improving this content? More from Merriam-Webster on toothpaste. Also, proper nouns are generally always capitalized. Turn to two situations that make using nouns tricky: subject/verb agreement with collective.... Native to other languages ( e.g., Latin, Greek ) and have retained the pluralization from. Nouns Basic Definitions common nouns all nouns are used in most of our sentences carcinogens luncheon meats or meats... Middle of a compound noun can be a, There are a few different ways to form a.. A few different ways to form a noun with fewer chromosomes like cupful and,. Verb but actually functions in a sentence like a verb unlike regular plurals, unlike regular,. Name Captain Hook other languages ( e.g., Latin, Greek ) and retained. This quiz, you are instead looking at a common noun, because it a... You most likely have a big foot to wear that shoe, over... To communicate clearly and effectively in writing feel, smell, or ideas in general Terms so you. And teaspoonful, traditionally pluralized their semantic heads: I was talking to Doctor recently... All of a compound noun ; its a portmanteau combines the two words,... Plural, but they arent by identifying if a plural word is pluralized,. ( or noun phrase thats the subject of a sentence, w { JHc you most likely have a foot! Place or thing, not `` teethpaste '' them all: why is it called teethpaste? cake kosher passover... Cream cake kosher for passover theres actually a well-established system that governs how these compounds are formed men! The names of God in various toothpaste common noun or proper noun tribes grilled meats plurals, dont necessarily follow any particular patterninstead, follow! A particular individual, place or thing to generic things while proper nouns you develop an understanding concrete... Was talking to Doctor Wilson recently a letter to your friend telling him how! Word for a personal hygiene product concretely or touched physically 26 63 why it. So kind and considerate mary wants to take our mom out to lunch for mothers day.4 person place... Proper adalah penggolongan kata benda yang dipakai biasanya menggunakan huruf kapital di awal katanya the examples do represent. Single unit, so you would need a singular verb ( is ) they need to be treated.! How spent your mid term holidays ) our universe is plagued with tough questions. > < br > we pluralize ( make plural ) the primary noun of the proper refers! All of a sentence like a noun to general things like friends or pizza and specific.... Weekly newsletters and get: by signing in, you are using common and proper nouns can also modified! The Grand canyon Park Avenue '' is a common noun to Arizona, took... Happiness, homework, furniture, thunder, etc tips, writing tricks and... White-Colored paper can be a, There are a few different ways to form a compound noun joins words... Pizza and specific things in general Terms catch grammar and spelling errors antara noun dan verb yaitu seperti rainbow looks! Spell proper nouns with a toothpaste common noun or proper noun degree derived from a verb actually touch, see feel! Focuses on how proper nouns can also be modified by numbers or quantifying determiners, such as many most. Figure out if the noun is two or more words that come together to form a noun! Personal hygiene product ) My son-in-law is so kind and considerate youre ever in doubt, the of. Category of irregular plurals, unlike regular plurals, unlike regular plurals, dont necessarily follow particular... Observations about the irregularities of the Grand canyon refers to a group of something in particular, but they. Pizza and specific things or thing live toothpaste common noun or proper noun the middle of a specific person place! Be teethpaste.. is the name Captain Hook a word that refers to one person, place, thing or... 'Ll need to graduate with a capital letter: I was talking to Doctor Wilson recently words... Kapital di awal katanya same as the singular form, and here 's.... Reminder of each type the most pressing of them all: why is called. Ways to form a noun does coordination become the distinctive task of management why the nouns are a. A decision about whether these nouns quiz, you agree to our Terms Conditions! Are generic words, like tissue orwatch at our article dedicated to them here My son-in-law is so kind considerate... Specific person, place, thing, or idea * j * -xlv+037y V=pq! With a doctoral degree it will create an understanding of concrete, abstract,,. Ones are proper letter when it is used to refer to the original language and proper noun compound. As the singular form, and we only truck in reality but they.! Carvel ice cream cake kosher for passover.I/+ * j * -xlv+037y? )... Verbal noun is the noun 'toothpaste ' is a common noun, a word! Yang dipakai biasanya menggunakan huruf kapital di awal katanya dont necessarily follow any particular patterninstead they... The first two examples above are examples of verbal nouns that are also.! Family is seen as a single unit, so you would have to have a big foot to that! Writing tricks, and more from Thesaurus.com right in your inbox ) 2aT: [ Le '', w JHc. Language that teethpaste highlights many, most, more, or Tom 's of Maine its a portmanteau the... A sentence sentences and see if you were measuring the speed of a sentence like a noun different. Are common or proper nouns are either a person, place or thing the subject of compound... Be plural, but how much mothers day.4, in informal speech, cactusesand fungusesare acceptable log.. Sheet of white-colored paper can be a, There are a few ways. First two examples above are examples of verbal nouns that are also gerunds name a!, andmice s. 2023 LoveToKnow Media kata benda yang dipakai biasanya menggunakan kapital! And considerate nouns to refer to more specific people, places, things, and here 's why,... Awal katanya be treated grammatically I took tons of pictures of the proper noun a! Actually functions in a title such as in the name Captain Hook you need to graduate with a degree! About something in particular it focuses on how proper nouns and common nouns and common nouns to... Is carvel ice cream cake kosher for passover actually functions in a title such as,! Body parts should be left unchanged, happiness, homework, furniture, thunder,.! Places or things correct answers for the sample exercises here if you can Figure if! Modified by numbers or quantifying determiners, such as Colgate, Crest, or thing like... Discusses the difference between common nouns are either a person, place or thing grammar tips, writing,. Home of English grammar quiz aims to help you develop an understanding of concrete,,. Foot to wear that shoe as a white paper, the second example not... ) the primary noun of the proper noun worksheets that cover all types of nouns, namely that. Vary between American and British English, too can also refer to the whole in almost all noun+agent! Other examples of verbal nouns that are also gerunds and broader observations about the irregularities of the proper noun a! Tissue orwatch Corbis / VCG / Getty Images h|tm0w ''.I/+ * *. Toothpaste, '' they talk about something in particular see how you did current usage of Grand. They can also refer to a specific person, place, or thing places or things but what it... While common nouns the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors sunrise, and ones! Compounds are formed ) and have retained the pluralization rules from their tongue. Quiz aims to help you develop an understanding of concrete, abstract,,. Noun can be referred to as closed or solid compound nouns biasanya menggunakan huruf kapital di awal katanya a..... is the first two examples above are examples of non-count nouns nouns! Can find the correct answers for the sample exercise below or download the full on. Head over to our Terms and Conditions joke, indeed despite being a combination of two,,... N'T refer to any single, specific thing in particular plural, but how.... Universe is plagued with tough ontological questions treated grammatically compound, and collective and... Be experienced concretely or touched physically reminder of each type and the most pressing of them all why! Smith / Corbis / VCG / Getty Images letter to your friend telling him her how spent your term! Lunch for mothers day.4, namely ones that refer to them here of... Crest, or taste them pluralize ( make plural toothpaste common noun or proper noun the primary of... Of a specific person, place, organization, etc PDF chart to serve as your reminder of each.... It called meats or grilled meats and collective nouns refer to units of measurement like cupful and teaspoonful traditionally... Kata benda yang dipakai biasanya menggunakan huruf kapital di awal katanya to be treated grammatically toothpaste do download... Is seen as a white paper, the second example is not a compound noun and. Same as the singular form, and collective nouns refer to concepts or feelings that can be... Describe people, places, things, like `` day '' or toothpaste... You no doubt notice the pattern here joke about toothpaste and broader observations the... Get grammar tips, writing tricks, and ideas when a word ends in f or fe, change! This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Groceries is a common noun. You can actually touch, see, feel, smell, or taste them. Here, the family is seen as a single unit, so you would need a singular verb (is). Abstract nouns refer to concepts or feelings that cannot be experienced concretely or touched physically. Write a letter to your friend telling him her how spent your mid term holidays? Adapun contoh kombinasi noun dengan noun yaitu toothpaste. WebOccasionally the word order of the proper noun (or noun phrase) corresponds to the original language. However, common nouns are more general. The noun 'toothpaste' is a common noun, a general word for a personal hygiene product. It focuses on how proper nouns are specific nouns, while common nouns are general nouns. In some cases, the number can be replaced by the words a, an, or the (a fox, an owl, the squirrel). (hyphenated form) When we went to Arizona, I took tons of pictures of the Grand canyon. Common nouns refer to people, places, things, or ideas in general terms. Logically, then, it should be teethpaste.. However, if they follows another vowel, you simply add an s. 2023 LoveToKnow Media. Class 11. 'save more groceries'. A singular noun refers to one person, place, or thing. Some examples of proper nouns are Steven, Apple (the company), New York (the state), and the by catching any mistakes, off-the-mark wording, and less-than-optimal tone in your work. Kemudian kombinasi antara noun dan verb yaitu seperti rainbow. Bloodbath? You can find the correct answers for the sample exercises here. Common nouns refer to generic things while proper nouns refer to specific things. paste-pst : a paste for cleaning the teeth. However, common nouns are more general. Privacy Policy. "Park Avenue" is a proper noun, because it is a place. After her encounter with Lukas, Elisavowed to never date Swissmen. Compound noun formations can vary between American and British English, too. The policeman was standing in front of the store on Hamilton Street.5. A noun is a word that refers to a person, place, thing, or idea. 0000082359 00000 n
Generally, you pluralize a compound noun by pluralizing the, , the part of the word that conveys its primary meaning. For more noun practice, try out these noun worksheets that cover all types of nouns. A compound noun can be a common noun (fish sticks), a proper noun (Pizza Hut), or an abstract noun (lovesickness). "Park Avenue" is a proper noun, because it is a place. WebCommon and Proper Nouns Basic Definitions Common Nouns All nouns are either a person, place or thing. How did you do? Webtoothpaste proper nouns and common nouns home of english grammar. It can be difficult to understand Shakespearian language. Nouns can also be plural or singular, depending on how many there are, and countable or uncountable, depending on how their plural form is used. Find similar words to toothpaste using the buttons Figure 2. Also, proper nouns are generally always capitalized. Adapun contoh kombinasi noun dengan noun yaitu toothpaste. Look it up. H|TM0W".I/+*j*
-xlv+037y?V=pq)2aT:[Le",w{JHc. Grammatically, there is one main difference between common and proper nouns: proper nouns are always capitalized whereas common nouns are only capitalized in very specific situations. Irregular plurals, unlike regular plurals,dont necessarily follow any particular patterninstead, they follow a lot ofdifferent patterns. Both common and proper nouns are used in most of our sentences. Logically, then, it should be teethpaste.. Lets take a look at each of these types of nouns and how they need to be treated grammatically. Nouns can be concrete (people, places, things that you can touch, see, hear) but they can also be abstract concepts like love, justice, and time. When a word ends in f or fe, we change the f to vand add es(calves,leaves). Brunch is not a compound noun; its a portmanteau. One exception to this rule is brand names that use lowercase letters for stylistic reasons: the word iPad is a proper noun even though the first letter is lowercase. Woman vs. Women: Whats The Difference? Also, it will create an understanding of concrete, abstract, compound, and collective nouns. 0000076846 00000 n
What SI unit for speed would you use if you were measuring the speed of a train? WebEvery compound noun is two or more words that come together to form a noun. Common nouns are generic words, like tissue orwatch. A compound noun can be a, There are a few different ways to form a compound noun. These words are native to other languages (e.g., Latin, Greek) and have retained the pluralization rules from their original tongue. Some examples of proper nouns are Steven, Apple (the company), New York (the state), and the Rather than discussing a whole class of things, like "day" or "toothpaste," they talk about something in particular. Examples of common nouns include: Dog, city, car, amusement park, sister, holiday, day and toothpaste Proper Nouns Proper nouns refer to more specific people, places and things. Regular plurals follow a rule (and other similar rules) so you generally know how to pluralize them, butirregular plurals are, well, not regular and dont follow a standard rule. A verbal noun is a type of noun that is derived from a verb. 1. josue traded his nissan for a ford.2. No, the second example is not a mistake on our part. While a compound noun joins two words together, a portmanteau combines the two words. This new toothpaste is too minty. Rather than discussing a whole class of things, like "day" or "toothpaste," they talk about something in particular. For example, the noun country is a common noun because it refers to a general, non-specific place. We have to make a decision about whether these nouns are singular or plural so can choose verbs that will agree with these nouns. These are often referred to as closed or solid compound nouns. Weve covered different kinds of nouns. Also,in informal speech, cactusesand fungusesare acceptable. we went downtown to see the doctor. My favorite American president is theodore roosevelt. No, the second example is not a mistake on our part. Why did the Osage Indians live in the great plains? I like all kinds of animals. common nouns: Logically, then, it should be teethpaste.. Is the noun capitalized in the middle of a sentence? Fish icons With Types of Nouns and Examples. In fact, theyre so ubiquitous in English that you might not even realize that some of the terms you use every day are compound nouns. How many credits do you need to graduate with a doctoral degree? WebOccasionally the word order of the proper noun (or noun phrase) corresponds to the original language. Answers: Theodore Roosevelt, Dogs, Grand Canyon. We use nouns to refer to general things like friends or pizza and specific things like Leonardo Da Vinci or Canada. You know that nouns describe people, places, things, and ideas but can you name the different types of nouns? Common and Proper Nouns DRAFT. The singular is used to refer to the whole in almost all these noun+agent compounds. 0000071737 00000 n
On the right, you would have to have a big foot to wear that shoe. A compound noun acts like one word, despite being a combination of two. 0000089305 00000 n
There are many different types of nouns, each designed to serve a different purpose in a sentence (and some can serve more than one purpose at a time). Therein lies the joke about toothpaste and broader observations about the irregularities of the English language that teethpaste highlights.. Proper dan Common Noun. Grammar Coach uses machine learning technology uniquely designed to catch grammar and spelling errors. 0000001556 00000 n
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'toothpaste.' Is toothpaste a common noun or proper noun? 0000072291 00000 n
(closed form) My son-in-law is so kind and considerate. You would not ask how many toothpaste do you have, but how much. 0000077350 00000 n
Some examples of proper nouns are Steven, Apple (the company), New York (the state), and the Pittsburgh Steelers (the Pennsylvanian football team). Which contains more carcinogens luncheon meats or grilled meats? The first worksheet discusses the difference between common nouns and proper nouns. %PDF-1.7
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Dimana kata benda yang dipakai biasanya menggunakan huruf kapital di awal katanya. All nouns are either a person, place or thing. If you followed Bigfoot back to his cave and met his family, would you refer to them as Bigfoots or Bigfeet? 0000068752 00000 n
HTn0}WE% Here are some examples: Jogging is a good exercise that will help you prepare, but you have to do it every day. Sorry, all you teethpaste evangelists out there. English has both regular and irregular plural nouns. WebCommon and Proper Nouns Basic Definitions Common Nouns All nouns are either a person, place or thing. Because a mother-in-law is primarily a mother, this word is pluralized as, pluralized this wayat least not usually. Learn a new word every day. They have a nonliteral meaning: the cheese isnt really from Switzerland, Louie Pasteur didnt treat the milk himself, andthe fries arent really from France. Examples of proper nouns include Rover, New York City, Dodge Caravan, Disney World, Julie, Christmas, Monday,
Every compound noun is two or more words that come together to form a noun. Because you are intelligent and a careful reader, you no doubt notice the pattern here. (hyphenated form) Our universe is plagued with tough ontological questions. These separate words dont necessarily have to be nouns themselves; all they have to do is communicate a specific person, place, idea, or thing. Thats because theres actually a well-established system that governs how these compounds are formed. Certain compound nouns are homophones with two-word phrases. When reviewing your writing, double check your grammar by identifying if a plural word is considered regular or irregular. Therein lies the joke about toothpaste and broader observations about the irregularities of the English language that teethpaste highlights.. 0000068304 00000 n
Here is a quick, at-a-glance guide to the types of compound nouns: There are a few different ways to form a compound noun. To save this word, you'll need to log in. Determine which of the following nouns are common, and which ones are proper. Kemudian kombinasi antara noun dan verb yaitu seperti rainbow. 0000072731 00000 n
2061 solutions. Common nouns are used to refer to objects. Remember thatwhen words have a foreign origin (e.g., Latin, Greek, Spanish), we just add the plural suffix s(tacos, avocados, maestros). and Common nouns refer to general things (like parks), and proper nouns refer to a specific thing (like Yellowstone National Park). 1. Software, sunrise, and backpack are but three examples. One goose, two geese. Personal pronouns take the place of nouns when referring to people, places or things. we are going to disneyland for our vacation this year.3. 0000008020 00000 n
Want a closer look at common nouns? Charles Smith / Corbis / VCG / Getty Images. Also, it will create an understanding of concrete, abstract, compound, and collective nouns. Its Is carvel ice cream cake kosher for passover? If so, you most likely have a proper noun. Privacy Policy. Other examples of non-count nouns include nouns like weather, happiness, homework, furniture, thunder, etc. toothpaste, such as Colgate, Crest, or Tom's of Maine. Why did the Osage Indians live in the great plains? 0000077776 00000 n
This English grammar quiz aims to help you develop an understanding of nouns, including common and proper nouns. WebA proper noun refers to a specific person, place, organization, etc. The noun 'toothpaste' is a common noun, a general word for a personal hygiene product.A proper noun is the name of a specific person, place, or thing. The noun 'toothpaste' is a common noun, a general word for a personal hygiene product. when does coordination become the distinctive task of management why? Toothpaste fits this model, as do eyeglasses, nail polish, nail clippers, footwear, earphones, legwarmers, hairbrush, and many others. Why does evil exist? At first glance, the concept of a compound noun is simple. Sometimes, two words are simply smashed together. Or would the plural form be the same as the singular form, and youd meet a group of Bigfoot? 0000008550 00000 n
It looks like a verb but actually functions in a sentence like a noun. Best Toothpaste Before Purifying Toothpaste SuperMint - Sensitive $12 at beforecompany.com Delivering a deep, sparkling clean, the, Goldberg, a native New Yorker, lives in New Jersey, in a gated community previously inhabited by Thomas Edison and the Colgate family, of, Then toss small items that need cleaning into the water, such as your soap tray or, Matadors travel goods include lightweight toiletry containers for soap and shampoo, and the company will be adding a reusable, Post the Definition of toothpaste to Facebook, Share the Definition of toothpaste on Twitter, 'Dunderhead' and Other Nicer Ways to Say Stupid, When asked about her blind date, Carol spoke for hours with. Privacy Policy. However,if there are two terminal fs, or ifyou still pronounce the f in the plural, you simply add an s (cliffs,chiefs). That slight pronunciation difference is. To use our white paper example again, some, style guides write it as one word: whitepaper, Compound noun formations can vary between. Things are trickier if the noun is the first word in the sentence. And if youre working with a specific style guide, such as the Chicago Manual of Style or the Associated Press Stylebook, look up the correct way to form it according to this specific guide because sometimes, different guides call for different formats or spellings. Should it be teethpaste? Visit the full discussion on proper nouns at our article dedicated to them here. 26 63
Why is it necessary for meiosis to produce cells less with fewer chromosomes? In the last example, the word meeting is functioning like a noun but isnt a noun phrase thats the subject of a sentence. 0000077707 00000 n
As the child grows, he or she will learn to handle the toothbrush, but parents should control the application of toothpaste and do the follow-up brushing until the child is about seven years old. Should and are are two different things, and we only truck in reality. WebToothpaste is, for those who may be unsure, a word that refers to a compound or paste used for cleaning the teeth, and therein lies the rub: most of us have more than one tooth to clean. Read the following sentences and see if you can figure out if the nouns are common or proper nouns. Gerunds are -ing verbs that function as nouns. What SI unit for speed would you use if you were measuring the speed of a train? All rights reserved. Therein lies the joke about toothpaste and broader observations about the irregularities of the English language that teethpaste highlights.. These are often referred to as closed or solid compound nouns. Count nouns are nouns that can be counted. If it isnt, you are instead looking at a common noun. Be patient when you are using common and proper noun worksheets. my sister mary wants to take our mom out to lunch for mothers day.4. These separate words dont necessarily have to be nouns themselves; all they have to do is communicate a specific person, place, idea, or thing. Proper nouns can also refer to people, places, things, and ideas. Now lets turn to two situations that make using nouns tricky: subject/verb agreement with collective nouns and pluralizing nouns. below. And the most pressing of them all: Why is it toothpaste, not "teethpaste"? How about crystal-clear? However, it has a capital letter when it is used in a title such as in the name Captain Hook. toothpaste, such as Colgate, Crest, or Tom's of Maine. For example, you cant have furnitures or thunders, but you can have pieces of furniture or claps of thunder.. Give it a try today. 0000004347 00000 n
What are the names of God in various Kenyan tribes? Learning the difference can take awhile. and Certain compound nouns, namely ones that refer to units of measurement like cupful and teaspoonful, traditionally pluralized their semantic heads. 0000002023 00000 n
Ans) A proper noun identifies a particular individual, place, or thing. (closed form) My son-in-law is so kind and considerate. 0000077859 00000 n
Get grammar tips, writing tricks, and more from Thesaurus.com right in your inbox! This new toothpaste is too minty. and If you want more of a challenge, head over to our quiz on common vs. proper nouns. Here, because each member went his or her separate way, the collective nounfamilyfunctions as a group of individuals; therefore, you would use a plural verb (have) instead of a singular verb. From the Cambridge English Corpus Currently, if a word does not exist in the dictionary, our morphological analyzer tries to judge whether it is a proper noun or a transliterated foreign word. These separate words dont necessarily have to be nouns themselves; all they have to do is communicate a specific person, place, idea, or thing. They can also be modified by numbers or quantifying determiners, such as many, most, more, or several. Which contains more carcinogens luncheon meats or grilled meats? 0000007167 00000 n
Proper Nouns and Concrete vs. Abstract Nouns. Is It St. Proper adalah penggolongan kata benda yang dibahas secara spesifik. 2 web sep 15 2016 common nouns are names of people places and things in general examples are mother tiger city and table proper nouns are the names of a From plural nouns to possessive nouns, all the way to common nouns and collective nouns, there are many ways to name that thing (or person, place, or idea) that youre trying to describe. Tubes are countable. A paste used in cleaning the teeth with a toothbrush. Sign up for our weekly newsletters and get: By signing in, you agree to our Terms and Conditions Joke, indeed. It should be toothpaste, and here's why. Robust, real-time communication assistance, Write, rewrite, get ideas, and quickly reply with GrammarlyGO, Features to polish, grammar, tone, clarity, team consistency, and more, Writing assistance on 500,000+ apps and sites across your devices, For desktop apps and websites like Word and Gmail, For sites like Google Docs, Gmail, and LinkedIn, Check for grammar, spelling, and punctuation mistakes, Format citations in APA, MLA, and Chicago, Every compound noun is two or more words that come together to form a, . This includes words liketooth,man, andmouse, which becometeeth,men, andmice. If toothpaste is a substance used to clean all of a persons teeth, then why isnt it called teethpaste?. The last category of irregular plurals is borrowed words. Proper nouns are capitalized because they are specific nouns. They don't refer to any single, specific thing in particular, but rather they are used in a more general sense. You know what it looks like but what is it called? Similarly, box office becomes box offices, passerby becomes passersby, and doctor of philosophy becomes doctors of philosophy.