Which noun specifically names a particular person, place, or thing?

The choice of a noun that specifically names a particular person, place, or thing is a proper noun. Proper nouns are unique identifiers that refer to specific entities, such as the name of a person (e.g., "Emily"), a specific location (e.g., "Paris"), or a distinct organization (e.g., "United Nations"). This specificity distinguishes them from other types of nouns, which may refer to general categories or concepts.

While common nouns refer to general items or concepts (like "city" or "dog") and collective nouns describe a group (such as "team" or "flock"), they do not convey the unique identity associated with proper nouns. Abstract nouns represent ideas or concepts that cannot be touched or seen (like "freedom" or "happiness") but, again, do not pinpoint a specific person, place, or thing. Thus, the distinction of proper nouns lies in their capacity to denote individuality and specificity, making them essential for clarity in communication.