An abstract noun is the name of a quality or of an action, considered apart from the object to which it belongs.

For example

goodness, honesty, wisdom, and movement are abstract nouns.

A verbal noun is a verb in its participle form or infinitive form used as a noun.

Note

The present participle of a noun is formed by adding ‘ing’ to the verb. The infinitive form of a verb is formed by adding the word ‘to’ before the verb.

For example

In the sentence:
He was convicted of stealing.
stealing is a participle used as a verbal noun.
In the sentence:
To see the sun is pleasant.
to see is an infinitive used as a verbal noun.

Nouns that denote substance or kind without reference to an individual, are common nouns.

For example

The nouns wood, grass, music, soil, and algebra are common nouns.

At this point proceed to Exercise 1.