Is outstanding salesperson a common or a proper noun?

Answer 1

The noun phrase 'outstanding salesperson' is made up of the common noun 'salesperson' described by the adjective 'outstanding'.

The noun 'salesperson' is a common noun as a general word for anyone who is employed in sales; a word for any salesperson of any kind.

A proper noun is the name or title of a specific person, place or thing.

Examples:

We need an outstanding salesperson who can meet or exceed our goals. (common noun)

The winner of our Outstanding Salesperson Award this year is Margaret Sellers. (proper noun, the name of a specific award)

Answer 2

"Outstanding salesperson" is a common noun. Proper nouns are the unique names of people, places, or things. Common nouns are the words for general things. If a common noun is part of a name, it becomes a proper noun. Pronouns always replace proper and common nouns.