#1  
Old 25-Sep-2004, 19:39
Anonymous
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Default abstract nouns

If we use our senses to identify concrete nouns, and we do not use our senses to identify abstract nouns, can you help me identify the following nouns? a walk, run, sneeze, attempt or any other action
sight, sound, smell, touch, taste
drumbeat, helium
I am so lost. Can we just identify a concrete noun by if it is made up of anything on the periodic table? Or is it more than that?
I can taste a lemon, and I can taste the sourness. Are lemon and sourness both concrete?
I can hear the chords, and I can hear the music. Are those both abstract? ieeyyyyyyy
  #2  
Old 26-Sep-2004, 04:04
Mister Micawber's Avatar
Key Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,851
Home Country: United States
Native Language: English
Current Location: Japan
Member Type: English Teacher
Default

Try this, llessard:

'Concrete' means tangible, physical; 'abstract' means conceptual.

I can see, hear or smell any action. I can hear a drumbeat or a sneeze, I can swallow helium (or any of the elements, if I have suicidal tendencies), I can see you taking a walk or having a short run.

You can taste the lemon or the citric acid within, but the sourness is the mental concept of that taste, so 'sourness' is an abstract noun.

You hear the chords which are a physical combination of tones-- chords and tones are both physical constructs-- but whether it is music or not depends on your sensibility. Some would call 'rap' music, but I would not: 'music' is in the mind of the beholder, hence an abstract noun.

Does that help any?
Closed Thread

Bookmarks

Tags
abstract, nouns


Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Proper Abstract Nouns Anonymous Ask a Teacher 2 15-Dec-2006 07:19
Concrete and Abstract Nouns Nat189 Ask a Teacher 1 03-Oct-2004 22:46
Abstract Nouns Anonymous Ask a Teacher 2 17-Mar-2004 21:38
abstract nouns Anonymous Ask a Teacher 13 05-Nov-2003 03:22
Abstract Nouns Anonymous Ask a Teacher 1 13-Feb-2003 09:26


All times are GMT. The time now is 13:24.



Content Relevant URLs by vBSEO ©2011, Crawlability, Inc.