+100 Examples of Abstract Nouns in English

As in Spanish, the abstract nouns in english(abstract nouns) They are those that refer to intangible concepts, ideas, feelings and qualities that cannot be perceived with the senses. That is, they do not refer to a material, physical or concrete reality that can be seen or touched. For example: justice(justice),intelligence (intelligence),freedom(freedom).

Abstract nouns in English refer to and represent:

• Feelings and emotions. For example: sees it(love),happiness(happiness),gratitude (gratitude).
• Intangible ideas and concepts. For example: freedom (freedom), soul (soul), politics (policy).
• Human qualities and characteristics. For example: honesty(honesty),wisdom (wisdom), courage (courage).
• Sensations and perceptions. For example: heat (heat),cold (cold),pain (pain).

Concrete nouns, on the other hand, are those that refer to things that are perceived through the senses. For example: car (car),tree (tree),house(home).

• See also: English nouns

Examples of abstract nouns in English

instagram story viewer

loyalty (loyalty)	respect (I respect)	altruism (altruism)
peace (peace)	creativity (creativity)	modesty(modesty)
friendship (friendship)	compassion(compassion)	leadership (leadership)
hope (hope)	imagination (imagination)	determination (determination)
knowledge (knowledge)	success (success)	dignity (dignity)
kindness (kindness)	independence(independence)	authenticity(authenticity)
patience (patience)	redemption (redemption)	rationality(rationality)
generosity(generosity)	strength (force)	forgiveness(sorry)
progress (progress)	trust (trust)	sympathy (compassion)
sensitivity(sensitivity)	inspiration (inspiration)	discipline (discipline)
sensitivity (sanity)	curiosity (curiosity)	inclusiveness (inclusion)
sense (sense)	flexibility (flexibility)	synergy (synergy)
truth (TRUE)	resilience(resilience)	friendliness (kindness)
reliability(reliability)	positivity (positivity)	harmony (harmony)
understanding (comprehension)	sociability (sociability)	resourcefulness(ingenuity)
faith(faith)	perfectionism (perfectionism)	mindfulness (awareness)
perseverance(perseverance)	simplicity (simplicity)	purity (purity)
optimism(optimism)	joy (happiness)	gentleness(gentleness)
passion(passion)	sadness(sadness)	clarity (clarity)
horror (horror)	tranquility (tranquillity)	empathy (empathy)
war (war)	calmness(serenity)	accountability (responsibility)
injustice (injustice)	thought (thought)	dedication(dedication)
poverty (poverty)	luck(luck)	grace(funny)
evil (evil)	ego(ego)	trustworthiness(honesty)
hunger (hunger)	reflection (reflection)	acceptance (acceptance)
hardship(adversity)	spirituality (spirituality)	charisma(charisma)
chaos (chaos)	endurance (endurance)	power(can)
arrogance (arrogance)	opinion (opinion)	virtue (virtue)
speed (speed)	contradiction (contradiction)	adulthood (adulthood)
idea (idea)	opportunity(chance)	shortage (shortage)
sound(sound)	vitality (vitality)	self-control(self-control)
adaptability (adaptability)	open-mindedness(open mind)	self-awareness(self-awareness)
empowerment(empowerment)	ambition(ambition)	height (height)

• It may help you: Irregular nouns in English

Rules of the abstract nouns in English

The abstract nouns:

• They are uncountable nouns. This means that they cannot be quantified and that is why they are always in the singular.
• They do not have the definite article. Unlike Spanish, abstract nouns in English do not take the definite articlethe ("she"). For example: Talent It is vital if you want to be a singer./ Talent is vital if you want to be a singer. (And not: The talent is…)
• They only accept articles (the, a, an, my) when reference is made to a quality, characteristic or feeling in a specific (and not general) way. For example: The sees it I feel for you is huge. / The love I feel for you is enormous. (“the love I feel for you”: particular) – Sees it makes the world go round./ Love makes the world go round. (“love”: general)

• See also: Countable and uncountable nouns in English

Sentences with abstract nouns in English

1. What I admire is her intelligence.
   What I admire is his intelligence.
2. My dream is to travel around the world.
   My dream is to travel around the world.
3. Beauty it is in the eye of the beholder.
   Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder.
4. He was my first sees it.
   It was my first love.
5. That was great idea.
   That was a great idea.
6. Education is the key to a better future.
   Education is the key to a better future.
7. His most valuable quality is his honesty.
   His most valuable quality is his honesty.
8. Creativity is essential for innovation.
   Creativity is essential for innovation.
9. We must strive for equality to make a better world.
   We must fight for equality to make a better world.
10. This kid has talent.
    This kid has talent.
11. Peace It is crucial in these fearful times.
    Peace is crucial in these terrible times.
12. Happiness cannot be bought with money.
    Happiness cannot be bought with money.
13. Are you in good health?
    Are you in good health?
14. We will follow our intuition.
    We will follow our intuition.
15. good luck!
    Good luck!
16. success in life comes after hard work.
    Success in life comes after hard work.
17. Do you swear that you will tell the whole truth?
    Do you swear to tell the whole truth?
18. She has a lot of wit and humor.
    She has a lot of wit and humor.
19. Wisdom is an important quality in old age.
    Wisdom is an important quality in old age.
20. The little girl has confidence in herself.
    The girl is confident in herself.

• It may help you: “Compound nouns”: Compound nouns in English

How are abstract nouns formed in English?

Abstract nouns in English are formed by adding suffixes (-ship, -ness) to adjectives, verbs or other nouns. Suffixes are particles added to the end of a word to change its function in the sentence.

Some suffixes used to form abstract nouns in English are:

• -ness. Indicates a quality or a state. For example: softness, boldness, weakness.
• -ity. Indicates a quality or a state. For example: equality, activeity, stableity.
• -ion. Indicates an action or a process. For example: education, createion, you sayion.
• -ment. Indicates an action or a process. For example: development, disappointment, improvement.
• -ism. Indicates a doctrine or a movement. For example: socialism, Buddhaism, postmodernism.
• -ship. Indicates a relationship. For example: relationshipship, partnership, membership.
• -sun. Indicates a domain, a group of people, a rank or a general condition. For example: kingsun, Christensun, martyrsun.
• -cy. Indicates a quality or a state. For example:literacy, privateacy, legacy.
• -age. Indicates a quantity, a collection or action. For example: percentage, pilgrimage, coverage.
• -ance / -ence. Indicates a quality or a state. For example: elegance, excelence, tolerateance.
• -ery / -ry. Indicates an action, a practice, a behavior and a set. For example: discovery, snobbishery, artilleryery.
• -hood. Indicates a state, a certain nature or a condition. For example: childhood, manhood, motherhood.
• -You from. Indicates a quality or state. For example: latiYou from, soliYou from, suitableYou from.
• -ics. Indicates knowledge, principles and facts. For example: mathematics, physics, aerodynamics.

Careful: Some abstract nouns are not derived from other words nor do they add suffixes to form them. For example:love, fear, pain.

• See more at: Prefixes and suffixes in English

Follow with:

• Verbs in English
• Adjectives in English
• Adverbs in English
• Irregular verbs in English
• Description of a person in English
• Description of a situation in English

Interactive test to practice