CSS Forums - Use of Proper Nouns

A Proper Noun denotes one particular person or thing as distinct from every other, such as, Allama Iqbal, Pakistan, London, etc.

The writing of a Proper Noun should always begin with a capital letter. A Proper Noun is said to be used as a Common Noun when it denotes some rank or office, some class or persons or things. Such words as comparison of one great man with another carry articles as Common Nouns, even though they are Proper Nouns.

1. I met Peter yesterday.
I met Peter yesterday.

2. Kashmir is Switzerland of India.
Kashmir is the Switzerland of India.

3. I have met queen Elizabeth.
I have met Queen Elizabeth.

4. Have you seen prime minister?
Have you seen the Prime Minister?

5. I went to the New Delhi.
I went to New Delhi.

6. I have lived in a Mumbai.
I have lived in Mumbai.

7. My mother died at Mumbai.
My mother died in Mumbai.

8. My father lived in Calcutta.
My father lived at Calcutta.

(Rule: ‘In’ is used for a big place; “at” is used for a small place).

9. Chennai is to south of India.
Chennai is in the south in India.

10. Colombo is in the south of India.
Colombo is to the south of India.

11. Many Roberts and peters were present there.
Many Roberts and Peters were present there.

12. I met a John on the road.
I met John on the road.

13. This firm is called the Ram, Sham & Co.
This firm is called Ram Sham & Co.

14. This is the office of the Messrs. Ram, Shyam & Co.
This is the office of Messrs. Ram, Shyam & Co.

15. Have you met M/s. Good Brothers?
Have you been to M/s. Good Brothers?

16. Have you been to Taj Mahal?
Have been to the Taj Mahal?

17. I took my bath in Jamuna.
I took my bath in the Jamuna.

18. How long have you lived in the Simla?
How long have you lived in Simla?

19. Sri Lanka is in Indian Ocean.
Sri Lanka is in the Indian Ocean.

20. My brother has gone to Punjab.
My brother has gone to the Punjab.

21. This is the Missouri of USA, not Mussoorie of India.
This is Missouri of USA, not Mussoorie of India.

22. This is Cochin of India, not Cochin of China.
This is Cochin of India, not the Cochin of China.

23. Napoleon was the Julius Caesar.
Napoleon was a Julius Caesar.

24. Napoleon was Julius Caesar of France.
Napoleon was the Julius Caesar of France.

25. Congress is not the ruling party of India.
The congress is not the ruling party of India.

26. I went to Congress House.
I went to the Congress House.

27. This is a firm of the Birla Brothers.
This is a firm of Birla Brothers.

28. These are M/s. Birla Brothers.
This is M/s. Birla Brothers.

29. Have you read song celestial?
Have you read the Song Celestial?

30. Alexander the great king of Macedonia, was the conqueror of the India.
Alexander the Great, King of Macedonia, was the conqueror of India.

31. George was a king.
George was king.

32. I met the king George.
I met King George.

33. Czar of Russia was lord of Europe.
The Czar of Russia was the lord of Europe.

34. I am Hindu.
I am a Hindu.

35. Arjuna was bravest of Pandavas.
Arjuna was the bravest of the Pandavas.

36. A Daniel was the Jewish prophet.
Daniel was a Jewish prophet.

Zahid Ashraf