Naming Words Common Nouns
A naming word, or common noun, is a word that names a general person, place, animal or thing, such as dog, school or apple. Common nouns are one of the first word classes children learn to spot, and they form the building blocks of every sentence a pupil writes. In Year 1, pupils learn to find naming words and use them correctly in simple sentences.
Before you start
No specific prerequisites - this is a good place to start.
Method
- Ask what the sentence is about: a person, animal, place or thing.
- Find the word that names that person, animal, place or thing.
- Check the word is a general name and not a special one-off name, because a special name is a proper noun and needs a capital letter.
- Say the word on its own and check it makes sense as a thing you could point to or draw.
- Use the naming word in a sentence of your own to check it fits.
Worked example
Find the two naming words in the sentence: 'The dog chased the ball.'
- Ask what the sentence is about: a dog and a ball.
- Find the word for the animal: 'dog'.
- Find the word for the object: 'ball'.
- Check both words name a thing you could point to or draw.
Practice questions
Try each question, then tap to reveal the answer.
Exam-style questions
Written in the style of a English exam paper, with a full mark scheme.
Identify the two naming words in this sentence: 'The bird sat on the branch.'
Sort these words into naming words and other words, then explain your choice for one word: happy, table, jump, chair
Write a sentence of your own that contains at least two naming words, then identify them.
Free printable worksheet
Want more practice on paper? Download the naming words common nouns worksheet pack - 8 pages of exam-style questions with a full mark scheme. No sign-up, no email wall - just the PDF, free for personal and classroom use.
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