Hello there! As an expert in linguistics and English grammar, I'm here to help you with your question about whether "tiger" is a common noun. Let's dive right in.
In English grammar, a noun is a word that represents a person, place, thing, or idea. There are several types of nouns, including proper nouns and common nouns. A proper noun is a name that designates a specific person, place, or organization, and it is always capitalized. For example, "John" is a proper noun because it's a specific person's name. "Paris" is a proper noun because it refers to a specific city.
On the other hand, a common noun is a general term for a person, place, animal, thing, or idea. Common nouns are not capitalized unless they come at the beginning of a sentence or are part of a title. For instance, "city" is a common noun because it can refer to any city, not just one specific city.
Now, let's consider the word "tiger." A tiger is a large, carnivorous feline found in Asia. When we talk about tigers in general, without specifying a particular tiger or a group of tigers known by a specific name, "tiger" is indeed a common noun. It's not capitalized because it doesn't refer to a specific individual or a unique entity.
However, if we're talking about a specific breed or subspecies of tiger that has a proper name, such as the "Bengal tiger," then the name of that subspecies is a proper noun and should be capitalized. The reference you provided mentions that "Bengal" is capitalized because it's a proper noun referring to a specific geographic area in southern Asia. When we say "Bengal tiger," we are referring to a specific type of tiger that is native to the Bengal region, which includes parts of India, Bangladesh, and Nepal.
Similarly, "mountain gorilla" and "grey wolf" are common nouns modified by adjectives. "Mountain" and "grey" are adjectives that describe the type of gorilla and wolf, respectively. Since these are not proper names for specific gorillas or wolves, they remain common nouns and are not capitalized.
In summary, "tiger" is a common noun when it refers to the species in general. It becomes a proper noun when it's part of a proper name for a specific subspecies or breed, like "Bengal tiger." The same principle applies to other animals and their descriptions.
I hope this clears up your question! If you have any more linguistic inquiries or need further clarification, feel free to ask.

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No. Nor would you capitalize "mountain gorilla" or "grey wolf." These are common nouns modified by adjectives. The "Bengal" part is capitalized because it is a proper noun in its own right: a name for a particular geographic area in southern Asia.Dec 3, 2015read more >>