Compound Noun

Definition of Compound Noun

Compound nouns refer to a type of noun which is formed by combining two or more existing words. They may have meanings which are totally different from the words it is made of.

List of Compound Nouns

Types of Compound Nouns

There are three types of compound noun: 

1. Open or Spaced Compound Noun

This type of compound noun contains space between two words and is written without a hyphen. For example, post office, fast food, full moon, traffic light, hot dog, etc.

2. Hyphenated Compound Noun

This type of compound noun contains hyphen (-) between the words and does not contain any space. For example, sister-in-law, mind-blowing, by-product, self-esteem, x-ray, etc.

3. Closed or Solid Compound Noun

Closed or solid compound nouns do not have any spaces between words and are written altogether. For example, football, basketball, toothpaste, sunflower, classroom, etc.

Formations of Compound Nouns

Compound nouns are formed in several ways:

1. Noun + Noun

Some Compound nouns are formed by combining words which are nouns. For example:

2. Noun + Verb

Compound nouns can also be formed by combining words which are nouns and verbs. For example:

3. Adjective + Noun

Some compound nouns are formed by combining adjectives and nouns. For example: 

4. Noun + Prepositional Phrase

Some compound nouns are also made up of a noun and a prepositional phrase. For example: 

5. Verb(ing) + Noun

Some compound nouns are formed by combining verbs and nouns. For example:

6. Preposition + Noun

Compound nouns can be the combination of prepositions and nouns as well. For example: 

7. Verb + Preposition

Some compound nouns are the combination of verb and preposition. For example:

8. Adjective + Noun

Compound nouns can be made of adjectives and nouns. For instance:

Plural Form of Compound Nouns

Compound nouns can be singular as well as plural nouns.

For example:

1. A tennis shoe (singular compound noun), three tennis shoes (plural compound noun)
2. My toothbrush (singular compound noun), our toothbrushes (plural compound noun)
3. Daughter-in-law (singular compound noun), two daughters-in-law (plural compound noun)

How to Identify Compound Noun in a Sentence?

1. First, look for words that contain a hyphen because some compound nouns are written with a hyphen (-). 
2. Secondly, carefully study and understand the meaning of every word in a sentence and try to identify the words from which a compound noun is made.
3. Most importantly, always try to understand the context of sentences as it can make it easier to identify compound nouns.

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Common Mistakes with Compound Nouns

1. Some students frequently make spelling mistakes while writing compound nouns. For example, 'tooth-brush' is incorrect whereas 'toothbrush' is the correct spelling. 
2. They have specific word orders. Students often interchange them. For example, they may write 'stairs-up' instead of 'up-stairs'. 
3. Students often make mistakes while pluralising compound noun. For example, they may write 'father-in-laws' instead of 'fathers-in-law'. 

Compound Nouns Used in Sentences

→ I love butterflies. 
→ Please tie your shoelaces properly. 
→ We have a swimming pool in our backyard. 
→ Olivia loves to apply make-up. 
→ My grandparents are visiting my town.

FAQs

1. What is a compound noun? 

Answer: Words that are formed using two or more different words are called compound nouns. The word formed may have a completely different meaning from their counterparts. 

2. What kinds of compound nouns are there? 

Answer: There are three kinds of compound nouns: Spaced compound noun, hyphenated compound nouns and closed compound nouns.

3. How can we form compound nouns? 

Answer: Compound nouns can be formed as:

1. Noun + noun
2. Noun + verb
3. Adjective + noun
4. Noun + prepositional phrase 
5. Verb (ing) + noun
6. Preposition + noun 
7. Verb + preposition
8. Adjective + noun

4. What are the examples of plural compound nouns?

Answer: Examples of plural compound nouns are fathers-in-law, brothers-in-law, men-servants, spoonfuls, milkmen, etc.