A common noun is the name given to an object to denote the class to which it belongs; as, book, man.
A proper noun is the name given to a particular object to distinguish it from others of the same class; as, Mary, Republicans, England. Proper nouns should always be capitalized.
A collective noun is a name which in the singular denotes a collection. It is usually plural in idea but singular in use; as, congregation, crowd.
An abstract noun is the name denoting a quality of an object; as, power, purity, strength.
A verbal noun is the name of an action. As its name suggests, it is made from a verb; as, Sweeping is good exercise.
In the following sentences supply necessary capital letters. Explain why the same word in one expression needs a capital and in another does not.
1. I have just taken out an endowment policy in the northwestern mutual life insurance company.
2. There are many mutual life insurance companies in the country.
3. His refusing the terms was practically a declaration of independence.