Yes! Common nouns = Nouns name people, places, and things. Every noun can further be classified as common or proper. A common noun names general items.
Go into the kitchen. What do you see? Refrigerator, magnet, stove, window, coffee maker, wallpaper, spatula, sink, plate—all of these things are common nouns.
Leave the house. Where can you go? Mall, restaurant, school, post office, backyard, beach, pet store, supermarket, gas station—all of these places are common nouns.
Go to the mall. Who do you see? Teenager, grandmother, salesclerk, police officer, toddler, manager, window dresser, janitor, shoplifter—all of these people are common nouns.
The important thing to remember is that common nouns are general names of everyday items.
A noun phrase is formed by a noun or pronoun, this one receives the name of the head, and any dependent words before or after the head. Dependent words are the ones that give specific details about the head. An example of a noun phrase can be: <em>a quantifier + a determiner + an adjective + a noun.</em> However, there are some others that are longer and with more dependent words.
Following this concept the two noun phrases in the text are:
<em>1. Senior citizens and others who need medical assistance </em>
<em>2. The subset of the US population with Medicare</em>
