HANOI PEDAGOGICAL UNIVERSITY N
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FOREIGN LANGUAGE FACULTY

NGUYEN THI QUYEN

THE COMMON ERRORS IN USING SOME KINDS OF
NOUNS IN ENGLISH MADE BY THE ELEVENTH – GRADE
STUDENTS AT NGUYEN TRAI HIGH SCHOOL, THAI BINH

(GRADUATION PAPER SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF
THE DEGREE OF BACHLOR OF ARTS IN ENGLISH) SUPERVISOR: NGUYEN THI LE NGUYEN, M. A.

Hanoi, May 2014

The research focuses on showing the possible uses of some basic kinds of nouns
and compound nouns in a sentence. Moreover, basing on a survey, I will find
some common errors that students at Nguyen Trai high school make. Last but
not least, some suggested solutions are given to minimize mistakes in doing
some kinds of nouns as common, proper and compound nouns. iii
STATEMENT OF THE AUTHORSHIP
TITLE: COMMON ERRORS IN USING THE
NOUNS AND SUGGESTED SOLUTIONS
(Graduation paper submitted in partial fulfillment of the Degree
Of Bachelor of Arts in English)

I certify that I do the research without copying from another books or
research‟s.
Some basic knowledge from English grammar books, some blogs, and
some websites but I quoted the resource. The report is originally written by the
guidance of my supervisor and I myself develop the details and do thesis.
Date of submission: April, 2014.
STUDENT

Nguyen Thi Quyen
SUPERVISOR

I.2.2.2. Object of a verb 8
I.2.2.3. Object of the preposition 9
I.2.2.4. Complement of “be” or a related verb like “seem” or
“become”
9
I.2.2.5. In possessive cases 10
v
I.2.2.6. In a direct sentence to speak to somebody 10
I.2.3. Common nouns 10
I.2.3.1. Singular nouns 11
I.2.3.2. Plural nouns. 11
I.2.3.2.1. Regular plurals 12
I.2.3.2.2. Irregular plurals 12
I.2.4. Proper nouns 12
I.3. Compound nouns 13
I.3.1. Definition. 13
I.3.2. Word- class combination compound nouns 14
I.3.3. Plural form of compound nouns 14
I.3.3.1. Pluralize the principle word 15
I.3.3.2. No principle word 15
I.3.4. Functions 16
I.3.4.1. As a subject 16
I.3.4.2. As a direct object 16
I.3.4.3. As an indirect object 16
I.3.4.4. As an appositive 16
I.3.4.5. As an object complement 16
CHAPTER TWO
METHODOLOGY AND RESULTS
II.1. METHODOLOGY 17
II.1.1. Purpose of the survey 17


I. Summary the researching process and implication 37
II. Limitations and suggestions for further research 38
REFERENCES
APPENDICES
SURVEY QUESTIONAIRE
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PART ONE
INTRODUCTION

I. RATIONALE
Nowadays, English becomes the most widely used language in the world.
Thanks to English, different nations with different languages and culture could
close. Grammar is an essential part of every language. L.G Alexander (2009:p1)
denoted that we should learn grammar because "there is no point in learning
grammar for the sake of learning grammar. Grammar is the support system of
communication and we learn it to communicate better. Grammar explains the
"why" and "how" of language. We learn it because we just can't do without it”.
As adjective and adverb, etc. Noun plays an important role in a sentence. It
makes the sentence to be emphasized. Noun is known as a part of English
grammar. It is also a linguistic element. Especially, nouns occurred in not only
English Grammar but also in Advanced English Grammar books. In fact, there
are many grammarians have done research on many kinds of nouns. There are
many English grammar books tell about the classification of nouns and its
functions. Additionally, some blogs of learning English online have talked about
the use of nouns. There are many exercises of nouns in the final tests or in the
exams. However, something sometimes is not easy to understand. Therefore,
students who study the second language sometimes make some mistakes in
using some kinds of nouns.
With the aim of helping learners of English to overcome some difficulties

the teaching practices and to help the students understand some kinds of nouns
in English grammar with an easy way and effective way. 3
IV. RESEARCH TASKS
The research work involves fulfilling a number of tasks:
√ To show an overview of common kinds of nouns in English Grammar.
√ To study the definition and the uses of common nouns, singular, plural,
proper, as well as compound nouns in English grammar, some examples.
√ To find possible errors that students usually make in using common
kinds of nouns. Of course, there will be some causes for these errors. Some
suggested solutions to minimize errors will also be given.

V. RESEARCH METHODS
Because the major aim of researching is to find out some common errors
of students in using some kinds of nouns, the main research method is “survey
questionnaire”. This method is popular in doing research, there are many
relevant documents which critically reviewed and referred to. The results are
commented on and carefully classified. The errors are analyzed with the
assistance of examination, description and interpretation. Moreover,
questionnaire survey gives the students an opportunity to express their opinions
and needs without fear either to be embarrassed or to be punished. Students are
not required to put the names when answering questions.

VI. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE RESEARCH
The research studies the uses of some common kinds of nouns in term of
formal grammar. It also shows common errors the students always make as well
as the causes for these mistakes. The suggested solutions are also given based on
the reasons discovered. As a consequence, the research naturally has some

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singular, plural and proper nouns as well as compound nouns. Another chapter is
called “Methodology and results”. In this chapter, something relating to the
survey questionnaire, some common errors and causes as well as suggested
solutions are given.
The last part is known as Conclusion. It is used to summarize the key
points of the research. It also helps the reader to ensure that they understand the
content divided or not.
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PART TWO: INVESTIGATION
Chapter I: Theoretical Background
I.1. Literature review in brief

between the compound nouns and other parts of speech. “Words can be
combined to form compound nouns. They normally have two parts. The first
part tells us what kind of object or person it is. The second part identifies the
object or person in question.
Spratt, M. , Pulvemess, A. & Williams, M. (2005). The Teaching
Knowledge Test. According to this book, plural forms can be regular or irregular
form. They implement that compound name is a combination of two or more
words which are used as a single word ( a flower shop, a headache).
In English Grammar Understanding the Basics of Altenberg, E. P. &
Vago, R. M. (2010). The difference between this book and another book is that
they denote the way to identify a noun and more details of plural nouns
including regular plurals and irregular plurals. However, they lack an important
part of linguistic element called “compound nouns”.,
In The Cambridge Guide to English Usage (2004), Peter denotes “ nouns
are the word that express the tangible, intangible and visible things of our
experience”. The most interesting of his book is that he mentions to a special
case of the word “no”. It serves as a noun and the plural form of “no” – noes.
Murphy, R. (2004). English Grammar in Use (2004). The uses of many
nouns are given. Especially, there are many exercises to help students to
practices their English grammar. This book is really useful and necessary. In
addition, in stead of giving the definition of compound nouns, he shows the one
small kind of word combination of compound noun- “noun + noun” case.
Hewings, M. (1999) with the book Advanced Grammar in Use. An
interview about nouns and compound nouns can make the reader understand the
basic knowledge. The author points out an important part of element linguistics
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called “compound nouns”. In spite of a helpful book, Hewings doesn‟t point out
some common errors that students usually make when using nouns and
compound nouns, some suggested solutions are not given.
In fact, much research has been done on some kinds of nouns and its uses.

is what Mr. Minh washed. The answer is “car”. Car is the direct object of the
verb “washed”.
With the second sentence, answer: Roberta. Roberta is the direct object of
the verb “commended”.
With the last example, the question is I sent the camera to whom?
Answer: Stephanie. Stephanie is the indirect object.
From some examples above, we can give the conclusion that:
√ we can identify a direct object by asking what or whom.
√ we also can identify an indirect object by asking to what, for what, or to
whom, for whom.
I.2.2.3. Object of the preposition
He hangs the picture on the wall.
He pulled the little red wagon to the store.
For the first sentence, “on” is a preposition, and the object of this
preposition is the noun “the wall”.
For the second sentence, “to” is a preposition, and the object of this
preposition is the noun “the store”.
I.2.2.4. Complement of “be” or a related verb like “seem” or “become”
An intransitive verb cannot accept an object. A noun that follows an
intransitive verb and completes the meaning of a sentence is called a
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complement. The complement stands after “be” or a related verb like “seem” or
“become”:
I am a student.
The noun “student” stands after be “are”.
I.2.2.5. In possessive cases
A noun can be used to modify another noun. A noun can also convey a
sense of possession. Consider the following example:
The town's water supply is in jeopardy.
The word “town” is a noun. In the sentence above the word “town's”

Some nouns in the English language take the plural forms: trousers,
glasses.
The plural form can take the different meaning:
E.g. People (con người) – peoples (các dân tộc)
Bond (liên kết) – bonds (trái phiếu)
We can use “a pair of” + these words:
Those are nice jeans = that‟s a nice pair of jeans (not a nice jean).
I need some new glasses = I need a new pair of glasses.
Some nouns end in “ics” but are not usually plural.
E.g. athletics, economics, electronics, gymnastics, physics
Usually, we pluralize a noun by adding “s” to it, as in books; these nouns
are called regular. There are a handful of nouns that are written in other ways,
these nouns are called irregular”.

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I.2.3.2.1. Regular plural
Normally, we will add “s” to the singular. If “s” stands after a voiceless
consonant, it is pronounced /s/. Another way of making plurals based on the
book Cambridge Grammar Understanding the Basics is to add “s” sound if the
last sound of the word is a voiceless sound”.
E.g. book- books
Garden- gardens
Chair- chairs
When the noun ends in “s, x, ch, or sh” the plural is formed by adding “es”
to the singular. It is pronounced /iz/.
E.g. glass - glasses box- boxes dish - dishes
But if the “o” is preceded by a vowel, the plural is formed by simply
adding “s” to the singular.
E.g. bamboo- bamboos studio- studios
I.2.3.2.2. Irregular plural

a single word.
E.g. a blackboard, a flower shop, a headache, rice- exporting country, etc.
The words “foot” and “ball” are each nouns in their own right, but if you
join them together they form a new word – football.
In the book A Reference Grammar for Students of English, R.A. Close
(1979) tells us compound nouns normally have two parts. The first part tells us
what kind of object or person it is, or what its purpose is (water, black, bed,
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etc.). The second part identifies the object or person in question (man, room,
friend, etc.).
I.3.2. Word- class combination compound nouns
Compound nouns can be formed by using the following word
combinations:
1. Noun + Noun: toothpaste, bedroom, water tank, motorcycle, etc.
2. Adjective + Noun: software, redhead, blackboard, full moon, etc.
3. Verb + Noun: swimming pool, washing machine, breakfast, etc.
4. Preposition + Noun: underground, underworld, undersea, etc.
5. Noun + Verb: haircut, sunrise, etc.
6. Noun + Preposition: hanger-on, passer-by, mother-in-law, etc.
7. Adverb + noun: onlooker, bystander, etc.
8. Verb + preposition: drawback, check-in, lookout, etc.
9. Preposition + Verb: output, input, overthrow, etc.
10. Adjective + Verb: dry-cleaning, public-speaking, etc.
I.3.3. Plural forms of compound nouns
Generally, we make the plural of a compound noun by adding –s to the
“base word”.
Singular
Plural
a tennis shoe
three tennis shoes

noun take an “-s” for plural. The first noun acts like an adjective:
Long plural form plural compound noun
100 trees with apples 100 apple trees
20 boxes for tools 20 tool boxes
10 stops for buses 10 bus stops
3 wheels for cars 3 car wheels
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The second notice is that with compound nouns which are made of noun +
noun, the first noun is an adjective and therefore it does not usually take an “–s”.
I.3.4. Function
I.3.4.1. As a subject
According to Quick, R. & Greenbaum, S. (1993), in the book A
University Grammar of English, a subject is normally a noun or a clause with a
nominal function.
The bathtub in the kids‟ bathroom is full.
I.3.4.2. As a direct object
E.g. I gave a beautiful gift for her.
In this example, “beautiful gift” is a noun phrase. This phrase contains
two words “beautiful” and “gift”. “Beautiful gift” is a direct object; “her” is an
indirect object.
I.3.4.3. As an indirect object
My boy friend bought a new computer to his sister.
In this example, “his sister” is an indirect object.
I.3.4.4. As an appositive
An appositive is a word that renames a noun that it is adjacent to, such as:
“Rueck, my lovely dog, ran down the street”.
Another example: Huong, my best friend, has visited London for 2 weeks.
I.3.4.5. As an object complement
A compound noun can be an object complement, which follows the noun
or pronoun it modifies.