How can you identify the use of proper nouns?

The identification of proper nouns is primarily based on their capitalization. Proper nouns are specific names of people, places, organizations, or sometimes things—essentially unique identifiers that distinguish them from common nouns, which refer to general categories or classes. For instance, "Paris," "Sarah," and "Harvard University" are all proper nouns because they denote specific entities. The convention is that proper nouns always start with a capital letter, setting them apart in writing and helping readers recognize their specific significance. This capitalization rule is a foundational aspect of proper noun usage in English grammar.