A compound noun is a noun that is made up of two or more words. The most common way to form a compound noun is to put two nouns together (noun + noun); other common types are adjective + noun and verb + noun.
For example, the compound noun “apple tree” is made up of the two nouns “apple” and “tree.” The noun “apple” describes the type of tree, and the noun “tree” identifies the thing.
Compound nouns can be written in three different ways:
- Open compound nouns: These are compound nouns that are written as two separate words, with a space between them. For example, “apple tree,” “dining room,” and “blackbird.”
- Hyphenated compound nouns: These are compound nouns that are written with a hyphen between the two words. For example, “mother-in-law,” “self-help,” and “water-skiing.”
- Closed compound nouns: These are compound nouns that are written as one word, without a space or hyphen. For example, “toothpaste,” “weekend,” and “airplane.”
The way that a compound noun is written depends on the style guide that you are following. In general, open compound nouns are more common in British English, while hyphenated compound nouns are more common in American English. Closed compound nouns are becoming increasingly common in both British and American English.
Compound nouns are a common feature of English grammar, and they can be used to express a wide variety of concepts. They can be used to refer to people, places, things, ideas, and actions.
Here are some more examples of compound nouns:
- Open compound nouns:
- People: mailman, policeman, fireman
- Places: downtown, bathroom, bedroom
- Things: notebook, toothbrush, backpack
- Ideas: teamwork, sportsmanship, peacemaker
- Actions: sightseeing, skateboarding, snowboarding
- Hyphenated compound nouns:
- People: mother-in-law, brother-in-law, step-brother
- Places: sea-level, high-school, well-being
- Things: ice-cream, mouse-trap, well-wisher
- Ideas: after-school, self-help, well-being
- Actions: cross-country, high-jump, well-wish
- Closed compound nouns:
- People: lifeguard, playwright, songwriter
- Places: playground, shopping mall, swimming pool
- Things: toothpaste, notebook, weekend
- Ideas: teamwork, sportsmanship, peacemaker
- Actions: sightseeing, skateboarding, snowboarding