Collective noun

A collective noun is the name of a collection of persons or things taken together and spoken of as one whole. Examples are: jury, army, navy, class, flock, herd, committee, family, fleet, team etc.

A fleet = a collection of ships or vessels
An army = a collection or group of soldiers

• The police disbursed the crowd.
• The jury found the accused guilty.

Abstract noun

An abstract noun is the name of a quality, action or state which is not physical and cannot be touched. Examples are: beauty, fear, honesty, intelligence, kindness, bravery, stupidity etc. Note that the names of arts and sciences (e.g. grammar, physics, biology, music etc.) are also abstract nouns.

Abstract nouns are usually formed from adjectives and verbs.

• Beauty from the adjective beautiful
• Honesty from the adjective honest
• Intelligence from the adjective intelligent
• Growth from the verb grow
• Obedience from the verb obey

Some abstract nouns are also formed from common nouns.

• Slavery from the common noun slave
• Childhood from the common noun child

Related posts:

1. Proper Nouns and Common Nouns