Here's a breakdown:
* Proper nouns are specific: They refer to one particular person, place, or thing.
* Proper nouns are capitalized: This helps distinguish them from common nouns.
Examples:
* People: John, Mary, Queen Elizabeth II
* Places: London, Mount Everest, the Pacific Ocean
* Things: iPhone, Titanic, the Great Wall of China
Contrast with common nouns:
* Common nouns: These are general terms that refer to any member of a group. They are not capitalized.
* Examples:
* Person: *boy, girl, doctor, teacher*
* Place: *city, country, mountain, ocean*
* Thing: *car, book, phone, wall*
Remember: If you're unsure whether a noun is proper or common, ask yourself: "Could I replace this word with a more general term?" If the answer is yes, it's likely a common noun. If the answer is no, it's probably a proper noun.