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why are feet common and chemistry abstract nouns?

Why feet is considered as common noun?

why chemistry is considered as abstract noun?

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    'feet' is a 'count noun'. 'chemistry' an abstract noun because a noun denoting an idea, quality, or state rather than a concrete object is abstract noun.
    – Maulik V
    Commented Oct 31, 2015 at 10:36
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    Ever touched "chemistry"? And "feet"? That's the difference.
    – Stephie
    Commented Oct 31, 2015 at 11:44
  • @Stephie Feet can act as both abstract and common noun.1) Length in feet which is an abstract noun.2) feet of a living being where it is a common noun.
    – 1010
    Commented Nov 10, 2015 at 9:24

1 Answer 1

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First of all, a common noun is any noun that isn't a (proper) name.

What you are probably talking about are concrete nouns, or nouns that refer to things directly sensed by any of your five senses (see, touch, smell, taste, hear).

e.g.

fire, music, guns, computer, kitten, chair, nuclear warheads, oxen, cows, meat, wood, car, street, mirrors, light

Abstract nouns are nouns that are not directly felt by the five senses.

e.g.

society, bravery, awesomeness, anger, mathematics, concept, time, mentality, definition, programming, self-worth

Feet can be seen (at the bottom of the human body) or touched, so it is a concrete noun.

You can't directly touch chemistry, or taste chemistry, or directly see chemistry, or smell chemistry, or hear chemistry, so it is an abstract noun.

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