Teaching Abstract Sentences and Nouns: Simple Strategies + Examples

An abstract sentence is a sentence that expresses an idea, concept, or quality rather than something you can see, touch, or measure directly. It deals with things like emotions, values, theories, or thoughts—basically, stuff that isn’t concrete.

So, not concrete. You can see where issues with reading and writing abstract sentences or understanding the concept, might be a challenge for some learning disabled students.

Abstract Sentences

Abstract sentences—and more broadly, abstract thinking and abstract language—start being introduced around 3rd to 4th grade, but most kids don’t really grasp them fully until middle school (6th–8th grade). It really depends on:

• Cognitive development (concrete vs. abstract thinkers)
• Language abilities (kids with language disorders or autism often need explicit instruction)
• Curriculum (some schools introduce figurative and abstract language earlier)

If you’re teaching kids how to understand or form abstract sentences, you’re likely targeting late elementary to early middle school, though many older students (even in high school) may still struggle and need support.

Abstract sentences are everywhere—schoolwork, IEP goals, social conversations, even the directions on standardized tests. Knowing how to read, understand, and write them isn’t just a nice skill to have—it’s essential.

Kids need abstract language to express emotions, understand cause and effect, and participate in deeper conversations. It helps them move from just reacting to the world to actually thinking about it. Whether it’s writing a persuasive essay, reflecting on their behavior, or explaining why something feels unfair, abstract sentences give students the tools to explain their thoughts clearly and confidently.

Without these skills? They’re stuck describing a complex feeling like anger as just “mad,” or missing the point of what a teacher means when they say “show respect.” Teaching abstract language helps students better navigate school, friendships, and life.

Abstract Nouns

An abstract noun names something you can’t see, touch, hear, taste, or smell. It’s usually an idea, quality, feeling, or experience.

Examples of abstract nouns:

• Freedom
• Anger
• Honesty
• Success
• Courage
• Friendship
• Fear
• Hope

Do all abstract sentences have to contain an abstract noun?

Nope! An abstract sentence often includes an abstract noun—but it doesn’t have to. What makes a sentence abstract is that it expresses non-concrete ideas or things that can’t be observed directly.

You can have abstract verbs (believe, dream, love), adjectives (brave, honest, loyal), or even phrases (follow your heart, walk in someone’s shoes). See what I did there with that last one?

Examples without abstract nouns:

• He always acts bravely in tough situations. (No abstract noun, but “bravely” is abstract.)
• They felt misunderstood. (The verb “felt” and the concept of being misunderstood are abstract.)

Abstract Sentence Examples

Here are 10 abstract sentence examples—great for teaching or discussion with literal thinkers. Each sentence includes an abstract concept that may need to be broken down or paired with concrete examples.

1. Friendship is built on trust.
   (What does “trust” look like? How do we build a friendship?)
2. He was overwhelmed with pride.
   (What does “pride” feel like? How do we know someone feels it?)
3. Justice isn’t always easy to achieve.
   (What is “justice”? Can we see it?)
4. She struggled to find her purpose.
   (“Purpose” is intangible—this one’s great for older students.)
5. Fear held him back from speaking up.
   (You can’t see fear—but you can describe what it causes.)
6. They were united by hope.
   (What does hope look like in action?)
7. Honesty is the best policy.
   (Common idiom that needs decoding.)
8. Her kindness changed everything.
   (What actions showed kindness?)
9. The decision was based on wisdom, not impulse.
   (Great for comparing abstract concepts: “wisdom” vs. “impulse.”)
10. Their courage inspired the whole group.
    (What does courage look like in different situations?)

Abstract Sentence Starters

1. Friendship means…
2. It takes courage to…
3. I believe that honesty is important because…
4. Happiness feels like…
5. Respect looks like…
6. Success isn’t always…
7. Sometimes love means…
8. Justice should be…
9. Being kind even when…
10. Hope helps us…

Abstract Concepts and Literal Thinkers

Teaching abstract concepts to literal thinkers—like many students with autism, ADHD, or language-based learning disabilities—takes explicit, step-by-step instruction with lots of concrete support. Here’s a breakdown that works well:

1. Start with the Concrete

Before diving into abstract terms, link them to something the student can see, touch, or act out.

• Don’t say “let’s talk about fairness”—say “here are two kids, one has two cookies, one has none. Is that fair?”

2. Use Real-Life Examples

Tie abstract ideas to the student’s own experiences.

• Abstract: Respect
• Example: Remember when your friend didn’t interrupt you when you were talking? That’s respect.

3. Make It Visual

Use:

• Graphic organizers
• Picture books
• Symbol cards
• Comic strips or video clips (yes, even memes—older students love them)

4. Model the Language

Literal thinkers may not “get” metaphors or idioms. So model and practice phrases like:

• “Let’s agree to disagree” → explain what that means literally.
• “Walk in someone else’s shoes” → act it out or draw it.

5. Use Repetition + Routine

Abstract language needs to be heard, seen, and practiced many times in different contexts to stick.

6. Role-Play and Practice

Practice social or emotional abstract ideas with:

• Scripts
• Partner scenarios
• “What would you do if…” cards

7. Ask Clarifying Questions

Literal thinkers may need help comparing:

• “What’s the difference between being ‘nice’ and being ‘kind’?”
• Or “Can you be honest and also hurt someone’s feelings?”

Teaching abstract language to literal thinkers isn’t about dumbing things down—it’s about making the invisible visible. Words like honesty, courage, and fairness might seem like soft vocabulary fluff, but they’re the backbone of strong relationships, emotional growth, and even good writing. With the right supports—sentence starters, real-life examples, visuals, and hands-on practice—kids can actually learn to make sense of abstract language. It takes time, and sometimes a whole lot of patience, but it’s worth it when a student can explain why something is unfair—not just that it is.