As a language expert with a focus on grammar and usage, I am well-versed in the nuances of the English language. Let's delve into the question at hand: whether "whales" is a proper noun or not.
A proper noun is a specific type of noun that refers to a unique entity and is always capitalized. It is used for names of people, places, organizations, and sometimes for unique objects or events. For example, "John" for a person, "Paris" for a city, or "United Nations" for an organization. Proper nouns are distinct because they are not used in a general sense; they refer to one specific thing.
On the other hand, a common noun is a general term for a category of people, places, animals, or things. Common nouns are not capitalized unless they are at the beginning of a sentence or are part of a title. For instance, "girl" refers to any girl, not a specific one, and "city" can refer to any city, not just one particular city.
Now, let's consider the term "whales." This word is the plural form of "whale," which is a common noun. It refers to the entire category of marine mammals known as whales, not to a specific whale or group of whales. Therefore, "whales" is not a proper noun; it is a common noun. It is not capitalized unless it is at the beginning of a sentence or used in a title.
However, there are instances where a term like "whales" could be part of a proper noun if it is used to name a specific group or species. For example, if there is a species of whale known as the "Atlantic Spotted Whales," then "Atlantic Spotted Whales" would be a proper noun because it refers to a specific species, not just any whales.
It's also important to note that the rules for capitalization can sometimes vary between different English-speaking regions or even within different contexts. For example, in titles, certain common nouns might be capitalized even though they wouldn't be in regular text.
In conclusion, "whales" in the general sense is a common noun and not a proper noun. However, if it is part of a name that specifies a particular entity, like a species or a group, it could be considered a proper noun. Understanding the distinction between proper and common nouns is crucial for clear and accurate communication in English.
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A proper noun is the name of some particular person, place, or thing. ... A common noun is the name given in general to every person or thing of the same class or kind. For example: girl, blue whale, city, clock. Common nouns are not capitalized unless they are the first word of the sentence.read more >>