1. Definition of nouns in English and the function of nouns
To understand how to use nouns in exercises, daily conversations, first let's refer to the concept of nouns in English.
1.1. What are nouns in English?
Noun (Danh từ) is a word used to name a type of object, which can be a person, animal, thing, phenomenon, place, or concept. Nouns are considered one of the most important parts of speech in English, so learners should accumulate as many vocabulary words about nouns as possible.
Examples of nouns in English
Nouns referring to people in English: he (anh ấy), doctor (bác sỹ), the men (đàn ông),…
Nouns referring to animals: dog (con chó), cat (con mèo), pet (thú cưng)…
Nouns referring to objects in English: money (tiền), table (cái bàn), computer (máy tính),…
Nouns referring to phenomena: storm (cơn bão), earthquake (động đất),…
Nouns referring to locations: school (trường học), office (văn phòng),…
Nouns referring to concepts: culture (văn hóa), presentation (thuyết trình), experience (kinh nghiệm)…
Mytour - From A to Z about UNCOUTABLE NOUNS [Basic English communication learning]
1.2. The function of nouns
Nouns as subjects in sentences
When functioning as the subject, nouns often appear at the beginning of a sentence and precede the verb in the sentence.
E.g.: English is my favorite subject. (Tiếng Anh là môn học yêu thích của tôi)
-> “English” is a noun and serves as the subject.
Nouns as direct/indirect objects of verbs
When serving as the object of the verb, nouns typically come after the verb.
When the noun is a direct object:
E.g.: I want to buy a birthday cake. (Tôi muốn mua một cái bánh sinh nhật)
-> “A birthday cake” is a noun and serves as the direct object of the verb “buy”.
When the noun is an indirect object:
E.g.: He gives his girlfriend a ring. (Anh ấy tặng cho bạn gái một chiếc nhẫn)
-> “His girlfriend” là một danh từ và là tân ngữ của động từ “give”
Danh từ làm tân ngữ của giới từ
Khi làm tân ngữ của giới từ, danh từ thường đứng sau giới từ.
E.g.: I have talked to Mrs. Hoa several times. (Tôi đã nói chuyện với cô Hoa mấy lần rồi)
-> “Mrs. Hoa” is a noun and acts as the object of the preposition “to”
How to use nouns in English – What are Nouns? Nouns denote people and nouns denote things in English
Nouns serve as complements for subjects
When serving as complements to the predicate, nouns follow linking verbs such as to be, become, seem,…
Example: John is a brilliant student. (John is an excellent student)
-> “A remarkable student” is a noun and acts as the complement to the subject “John”
Nouns serve as complements to objects
When serving as complements to objects, nouns will come after certain verbs such as make, elect, call, consider, appoint, name, declare, recognize,...
Example: The committee elects Sarah president. (Ủy ban bầu Sarah làm tổng thống)
-> “The outstanding employee of the year” is a noun and serves as the complement in English for the object “Tommy”.

1.3. The position of nouns in sentences
In addition to understanding the function of nouns, you should know how to recognize a noun from other types of words in a sentence, through some of the following characteristics:
Standing after articles
Nouns can stand after articles such as a, an, the. However, between the article and the noun, there may be additional modifying adjectives.
Example: a beautiful girl, a lovely cat,...
Standing after possessive adjectives
Nouns can follow some possessive adjectives such as my, your, his, her, its, our, their,… Between the possessive adjective and the noun, there may be additional modifying adjectives.
Example: my new computer, her pink T-shirt,...
Standing after quantifiers
Nouns can follow some quantifiers such as few, little, some, any, many, all,...
VD: I require some coffee. (Tôi cần một chút cà phê)
Standing behind prepositions
Nouns can stand behind prepositions such as in, of, for, under,… to qualify the prepositions.
VD: This situation is under scrutiny. (Tình hình này đang được xem xét)
Standing behind determiners
Nouns can stand after certain determiners such as this, that, these, those, both,…
VD: these new garments (những bộ quần áo mới), both you and I (cả bạn và tôi),…

2. Types of nouns in English
How many types of nouns are there in English? Depending on various criteria, there are 5 common ways to classify nouns in English as follows:
2.1. Classifying nouns by number: Singular Nouns and Plural Nouns
Singular nouns are countable nouns with a count unit of one or may be uncountable nouns.
VD: apple, cake, table,..
Plural nouns are countable nouns with a count unit equal to or greater than two.
VD: apples, cakes, tables,…
2.2. Classifying nouns by counting method: Countable Nouns and Uncountable Nouns
Countable nouns are nouns that we can count with numbers and can directly add a count before them.
VD: three pens (3 cái bút), five books (5 quyển sách),…
Uncountable nouns are nouns that we cannot count directly and cannot add a count before them.
VD: water (nước), money (tiền), experience (kinh nghiệm),…

2.3. Classifying nouns by meaning: Common Nouns and Proper Nouns in English
Common nouns in English (Common Nouns) are nouns that refer to objects, phenomena around us.
VD: student (học sinh), children (trẻ em),…
Proper nouns in English (Proper Nouns) are nouns that indicate the specific name of an object (person's name, place name, phenomenon name,…)
VD: Bella (tên người), Japan (Nhật Bản), Red River (sông Hồng),…
2.4. Classifying nouns by characteristics: Concrete Nouns and Abstract Nouns
Concrete nouns are nouns used to denote people, objects that exist in material form that we can see, touch, feel.
VD: Anna (tên người), mom (mẹ), pie (bánh ngọt),…
Abstract nouns are nouns used to denote things that cannot be seen but only felt.
VD: happiness (sự hạnh phúc), love (tình yêu), hope (sự hy vọng),…
2.5. Classifying nouns by compositional factor: Simple Nouns and Compound Nouns
Simple nouns are nouns that consist of a single word.
VD: baby (em bé), tree (cây), job (công việc),…
Compound nouns are nouns composed of two or more words combined together. Compound nouns can be written as two separate words or combined into one word when combined.
VD: greenhouse (nhà kính), bedroom (phòng ngủ), toothpaste (kem đánh răng),…
Above is the theory about uncountable nouns in English Mytour has synthesized. Hopefully, Mytour has provided you with the necessary knowledge! If you are learning English sporadically, not scientifically, you should refer to a clear and serious English learning roadmap here.