grandfather as a proper noun

[user_gary]

I have often come across the situation where the words like `government', `grandfather' has been used like a proper noun i.e. with first letter capital, along with an article especially the article `the'. But I learned that we should not use an article with a proper noun. So I am confused.

Could you assist me on this?

[right now, I have neither any examples/context nor I can frame any sentence on my own.]
If possible give me your own examples and explain it.

[black_velvet]

I am not a native speaker but it seems to me you do not use articles when you speak about members of your own family:
you say 'Grandfather' or "My Grandfather' (with the posessive pronoun) but without any article

[mykwyner]

If you use a modifier like an article or possessive pronoun, words like grandfather are common nouns.

I saw my grandfather at the park.
In the family portrait, the baby is sitting on the grandfather's lap.

If you use a word like grandfather in place of the person's name, it is a proper noun.

Last week, Grandfather took us to the park.

[bianca]

just a question: 'on his lap' or 'in his lap'?

[RonBee]

The little girl sat on her grandfather's lap.

~R

[bianca]

Do you ever say 'in his lap', in any context?

Somebody, help!

[mykwyner]

It doesn't sound unusual to me. It may be acceptable in some dialects.

[black_velvet]

Originally Posted by bianca

Do you ever say 'in his lap', in any context?

Somebody, help!

in nature's lap
in the lap of the Gods



I was also wondering:
if I have a kitten for instance - is it IN my lap (the kitten is quite small, you see)? or is it ON my lap?

[engee30]

It's all about the preposition and the way you think about the lap. If it's considered as a surface on which you put something, you use on; if you consider the lap as a place in which something is put, then use in.

Lee had a cat sitting on his lap.
Mario sat with his hands clasped in his lap.
___________________________
NOTE:
Bear in mind I'm not a teacher!

[RonBee]

Originally Posted by engee30

It's all about the preposition and the way you think about the lap. If it's considered as a surface on which you put something, you use on; if you consider the lap as a place in which something is put, then use in.

Lee had a cat sitting on his lap.
Mario sat with his hands clasped in his lap.

Excellent!