Common vs. Proper Nouns: Simple Rules & Examples
A common noun is any general person, place, or thing: city, teacher, phone. A proper noun names a specific one and always starts with a capital letter: Paris, Ms. Johnson, WhatsApp.
We slip up because spell-check ignores lowercase “iPhone” in the middle of a sentence, autocorrect turns “amazon” into a verb, and group chats casually write “white house.” The rules feel fussy until a recruiter spots “google” on a résumé.
Key Differences
Capital letter = proper noun. No capital, generic idea = common noun. “River” could be any river; “River Thames” is one specific ribbon of water.
Examples and Daily Life
Text a friend: “Meet at the café on Main Street.” Café = common; Main Street = proper. Email your CEO: “Book flights via Delta, stay at Hilton, then email report on Friday.” All three proper nouns signal exact brands and days.
Is “mom” ever a proper noun?
Yes, when you replace her name: “I’ll ask Mom.” If you say “my mom,” keep it lowercase.
Do company job titles get capitals?
Only when paired with a name: “Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook.” Otherwise, “the CEO approved it.”