abstract/concrete nouns

[Anonymous]

Are concrete nouns, something you have to identify with all of your senses, or at least one. For example, is music concrete because you can hear it, even though you can't taste it, smell it, etc.

So then would taxes, remedy and gossip be abstract?

Thanks,
Janet

[Steven D]

Are concrete nouns, something you have to identify with all of your senses, or at least one. For example, is music concrete because you can hear it, even though you can't taste it, smell it, etc.

So then would taxes, remedy and gossip be abstract?

Thanks,
Janet

We can only hear music outside of our minds because it is carried to us by means which are concrete. Without the means by which music can be amplified and carried to a listener, music would only exist in one's mind.

Music is abstract.


You don't have to identify nouns with all of your senses in order for them to to be concrete.

remedy - I think this could be either concrete or abstract. It depends.

gossip = words = ideas and concepts - I'd call "gossip" abstract.

Ideas and concepts can be considered abstract or concrete as well.

An idea or a concept can be thought of as concrete based on how simple it is by comparison to more complicated ideas.

[Tdol]

http://www.usingenglish.com/glossary/abstract-noun.html
http://www.usingenglish.com/glossary/concrete-noun.html

[Steven D]

http://www.usingenglish.com/glossary/abstract-noun.html
http://www.usingenglish.com/glossary/concrete-noun.html

And would you say that "remedy" can be both? I would think so.

A remedy could have a physical existence and a non physical existence, wouldn't you think?