Grade 7 English PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY – GRAMMAR IN USE:NOUNS Notes
GRAMMAR IN USE: NOUNS
Subject: English — Topic: PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY (Age: 12, Kenya)
What is a noun?
A noun is a word that names a person, place, thing, or idea.
Examples: student, school, pen, responsibility.
Types of nouns (simple explanations)
- Proper nouns — name a particular person, place or thing. They start with a capital letter. Examples: Kenya, Nairobi, Mt. Kenya, Mama Amina, St. Peter's Primary.
- Common nouns — general names. Examples: school, teacher, book, matatu.
- Concrete nouns — you can see or touch them: table, uniform, bicycle.
- Abstract nouns — ideas or feelings you cannot touch: responsibility, honesty, respect.
- Collective nouns — a group treated as one: class, team, staff, crowd.
- Countable nouns — you can count them: one exam, two exams, three pens.
- Uncountable nouns — cannot be counted separately: water, patience, information.
- Possessive nouns — show who owns or has something: the student's diary, Kenya's flag.
Forming plurals (basic rules)
- Most nouns: add -s — book → books, chair → chairs.
- Nouns ending in -s, -x, -ch, -sh, -z: add -es — class → classes, box → boxes.
- Consonant + y: change -y to -ies — duty → duties, city → cities.
- Some are irregular: child → children, man → men, mouse → mice.
- Uncountable nouns usually do not have a plural form: advice (not *advices*).
Using nouns to talk about personal responsibility
Use nouns (people, places, things, ideas) to make clear sentences about being responsible.
Examples:
- Student (person) — A student must finish homework on time.
- Promise (abstract noun) — Keeping a promise shows responsibility.
- Class (collective noun) — The class cleaned the classroom after break.
- Community (proper/common) — Our community helps those in need.
Quick grammar tips
- Nouns can be subjects: The headteacher spoke.
- Nouns can be objects: She finished her chores.
- To show ownership, add ’s: the student's uniform; for plural owners ending in s, add only an apostrophe: the teachers' room.
- When you are not sure about gender, use their as a singular neutral pronoun: A student must bring their books.
Practice exercises
- Underline the noun(s) in each sentence and say the type (proper, common, abstract, collective, countable, uncountable):
a) The class cleaned the field.
b) Honesty is important at home and school.
c) Kenya won the match.
d) Bring two bottles of water. - Make these nouns plural:
a) duty → ______ b) box → ______ c) child → ______
- Change to possessive form:
a) the book of the teacher → ______
b) the shoes of the students → ______ - Fill the blank with a noun from the box: [promise, water, team, headteacher]
Every morning the ____ reminds us to be responsible. After football, the ____ drank cold _____. Keeping a ____ shows trust.
Answers
1a) class — collective; 1b) honesty — abstract; 1c) Kenya — proper noun; 1d) bottles, water: bottles — countable, water — uncountable.
2a) duties 2b) boxes 2c) children
3a) the teacher's book 3b) the students' shoes
4) Every morning the headteacher reminds us to be responsible. After football, the team drank cold water. Keeping a promise shows trust.
5) Example answers: Concrete: "I washed the dishes." Abstract: "I showed kindness by helping my sister."
2a) duties 2b) boxes 2c) children
3a) the teacher's book 3b) the students' shoes
4) Every morning the headteacher reminds us to be responsible. After football, the team drank cold water. Keeping a promise shows trust.
5) Example answers: Concrete: "I washed the dishes." Abstract: "I showed kindness by helping my sister."
Keep practising! Nouns help you speak clearly about duties and values. ✍️🇰🇪