Could somebody please explain to me the difference between the Proper and Specific Nouns. Also, is it possible for a Proper Noun to BE a Specific Noun, like a specific noun for desert could be Sahara, instead of wasteland?

I've always dealt with proper nouns and common nouns: desert (common) and Sahara Desert (proper).

http://www.answers.com/proper%20noun

To try to deal with specific nouns in this mix, I guess, would be subdividing the common nouns into abstract and concrete (or specific):

beauty (abstract)
love (abstract)
freedom (abstract)

desk (concrete)
secretary desk (concrete and maybe specific??)
book (concrete)
Outlander (concrete and maybe specific??)

Please be sure to re-post if you have further questions -- or groups of related words you need to clarify.

=)

Proper nouns and specific nouns are different, but they can overlap in some cases.

A proper noun is a specific name given to a particular person, place, or thing. It is always capitalized, regardless of its position in a sentence. Examples of proper nouns are people's names (e.g., John, Sarah), specific places (e.g., London, Paris), and brand names (e.g., Coca-Cola, Nike). Proper nouns usually refer to something unique or specific.

On the other hand, specific nouns refer to a particular object within a category of nouns. They can be common nouns or proper nouns. A common noun is a general name for a person, place, or thing (e.g., chair, city). It can be made specific by adding additional details or context. For example, the common noun "chair" can become a specific noun by saying "the red chair" or "the office chair."

In your example, "Sahara" is a proper noun because it is a specific name given to a desert. "Desert," on the other hand, is a common noun as it refers to a general category of places. However, "Sahara" can also be considered a specific noun because it provides a more specific name within the category of deserts. So, you could say that "Sahara" is both a proper noun and a specific noun.

To identify the difference between proper and specific nouns, you need to understand the context and the purpose of the word in the sentence. If it is a specific name referring to a unique individual, place, or thing, it is a proper noun. If it is a more specific name within a category, it is a specific noun.

I hope this clarifies the difference between proper and specific nouns. Let me know if you have any further questions!