This is our third and final discussion on nouns and English Grammar for the time being! If you have not read our last two blog posts on nouns, here are the links. You will find it helpful to read these in sequence.

https://www.englishhelper.com/resources/blog/english-grammar-introduction-nouns/

https://www.englishhelper.com/resources/blog/english-grammar-nouns-singular-plural/

In this blog, we want to talk about using possessive nouns, article usage, and making a noun phrase. When you learn how to use nouns in the correct way, it will make your English language learning experience easier and will also improve your English grammar.

Try to practice speaking all the example sentences provided here so you can improve your spoken English.

Possessive Forms of Nouns

The possessive form of nouns shows ownership. They show who or what something belongs to. For example: cat’s, book’s, George’s

With regard to English grammar, the possessive form is used to specify who owns something. Write the owner directly before the thing they own.

For example:
George’s hair is brown.
The brown hair belongs to George.
Whose hair? George’s.

The doctor’s office is very clean.
Whose office is it?
It is the office belonging to the doctor.

Forming the Possessive

To form the possessive, add the ending -‘s to the noun. The apostrophe (‘) shows that it is possessive and not plural. For example:Sarah’s, house’s, road’s

Most plural nouns end in -s. To make them possessive, add only the apostrophe -‘.
roads’, plates’, students’

Use the regular ending -‘s for plural nouns that do not end in -s. For example:
men’s, children’s

Many names end in -s. You can write the possessive with -‘s or just -‘. For example:
Charles’, Charles’s

Another way to show ownership is to use of.
The title of the book
This is another way to say “The book’s title”.

Article Usage

Articles show definiteness of nouns. They show that things are specific or general. Articles have specific rules about when they can be used.

To choose the correct article, it helps to know if the noun is countable or non-countable.

Using the Definite Article – ‘the’

The can be used with singular and plural, countable and non-countable nouns.
Use ‘the’ when talking about a specific thing.

For example:
The apple is red.
A specific apple is red. Perhaps you are holding or pointing to the apple.

The water is freezing!
This sentence is talking about specific water, such as the water in the ocean.

Use ‘the’ after something has already been mentioned once.

For example:
Johnny Appleseed planted a tree in my yard. The tree grew big over many years.
The tree refers to the tree in my yard. Use ‘the’ since it was already mentioned.

Using the Indefinite Articles ‘a’ and ‘an’

A and an are only used with singular, countable nouns.

For example:
a leaf

Use ‘a’ or ‘an’ when talking about something general.
Would you like a blanket to keep warm?

This question asks whether you would like a blanket. It does not matter which blanket. Any blanket would help keep you warm.

Plural nouns, such as leaves, or uncountable nouns, such as water, do not take an indefinite article.

For example:

I like listening to music.
NOT “I like listening to a music.”
Music is a non-countable noun. Do not use an indefinite article.

Using No Article

Sometimes no article is needed. Plural countable nouns and non-countable nouns have no article if they are used with a general meaning.

Leaves are falling from the trees.
The plural countable noun leaves refers to leaves in general. Since they are not specific leaves, no article is needed.

Business is good this year.
The non-countable noun business refers to the general idea of business. It does not refer to a particular business. No article is needed.

Special Cases

Here are some tricky cases.

Most proper nouns or names never take articles. For example:
India, Jack

But some proper nouns, such as the names of buildings or bodies of water, do take articles. For example:
the Taj Mahal, the Arabian Sea

Never use an article for languages or the names of sports. For example:
French, Hindi, baseball, tennis

If a noun is both countable and uncountable, know how it is being used. When it is used as a countable noun, it can take an indefinite article.

For example:
I enjoyed a beer while watching the match.
The noun beer means a bottle of beer in this sentence. It is used as a countable noun.

Beer is made from fermented barley, water, and hops.
The kind of drink, beer, is used as a non-countable noun here.

Nouns do not take articles after possessives.
child’s hat
NOT child’s the hat

The article must agree with the noun, even if there are adjectives or adverbs in between.
very big trees
NOT a very big trees

Only use one determiner with the noun. If the noun is already definite, do not use an article. For example:
My apple is on the desk.
NOT The my apple is on the desk.

Making a Noun Phrase

A noun phrase is a kind of group of words. It includes a noun and any words that describe the noun.
house
that house
that big blue house

First: Determiner

The first word in a noun phrase can specify if the thing is particular or general. This can be a determiner: article, quantifier, or possessive pronoun. It comes before all of the adjectives that also describe the noun.

the tall, dark, and handsome stranger
NOT tall, dark, and handsome the stranger
The determiner the comes before the adjectives.

their satisfied expressions
The determiner is a possessive pronoun, their. It comes before the adjective.

Use no more than one determiner. Sometimes none is needed.

Before the Noun: Adjectives

Put adjectives describing the noun before the noun. These can include participles used as adjectives.

blue cheese
The adjective blue comes before the noun cheese.

stolen goods
The participle stolen is used as an adjective here. It comes before the noun.

After a Noun Phrase

You can give even more information after a noun phrase. These kinds of phrases can come after a noun phrase:

Prepositional phrases

her dress with the sequins
The prepositional phrase with the sequins follows the noun dress. It specifies which dress.

Infinitive phrases

the attempt to break free
The infinitive phrase to break free tells what kind of attempt it was. The phrase comes after the noun.

Participle phrases

the ring given to me
The participle phrase given to me specifies which ring. It comes after the noun.

Relative clauses

the dog that followed us home
The relative clause that followed us home follows the noun dog. It tells us which dog.

Improve your English Grammar with EnglishHelper

We hope you found our series on nouns helpful! Practicing your English grammar is important if you are trying to learn English. If you want to continue learning from the comfort of your home, try the free EnglishHelper English speaking course. It will also help improve your spoken English.

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