A proper noun begins with an upper-case letter and names a specific person.
A common noun for a person is teacher. A proper noun for this same person is Mrs. Johnson.
Here are more examples of common nouns and the proper nouns that go with them:
common noun: brother
proper noun: Joshua
common noun: dentist
proper noun: Dr. Hanson
Be sure to make a distinction between the common noun mother and the proper noun Mother. When you talk about your mother or your mom, you use the lower-case common noun. When you are talking to her or calling her by name – Mother or Mom – you capitalize the word because it is now a proper noun.
I have a note for my mother.
I have to give the note to Mom.
Did you see my mother at the store?
Mom, can you give me a ride home?
Use the same rules with other family names: grandma/Grandma, grandpa/Grandpa, father/Father. dad/Dad
A proper noun is a name for a specific person. We always begin a proper noun with a capital letter.
▶It’s your turn. Which of these sentences has the proper noun in it? My grandfather plays the violin. I hope Dad can teach me how to play the drums. Did you say that the proper noun is in the second sentence? Good for you!