I'm an expert in linguistics with a focus on grammar and usage. In the English language, the distinction between common nouns and proper nouns is fundamental. A common noun refers to a general category of people, places, things, or ideas, while a proper noun is the specific name given to a particular person, place, or thing.

The term "banana" is indeed a common noun. It is used to refer to the fruit in a general sense, without specifying a particular banana or type of banana. Common nouns do not start with a capital letter unless they are at the beginning of a sentence or part of a title.

On the other hand, proper nouns are unique identifiers that are capitalized to distinguish them from common nouns. For example, "Apple" is a proper noun when referring to the technology company, but it is a common noun when referring to the fruit.

It's important to note that while "banana" is a common noun, there can be specific varieties or brands that might be capitalized if they are part of a proper noun, such as "Cavendish Banana" or "Dole Bananas." However, in these cases, the capitalized part refers to the variety or brand name, not the fruit itself.

In summary, "banana" as a term for the fruit is a common noun. It does not become a proper noun unless it is part of a specific, capitalized name that distinguishes it from other bananas.

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Banana is a common noun. It is a general word for any banana of any kind. A proper noun is the name of a specific person, place, thing, etc..read more >>