English Grammar Archives

Two People together make a Duo. But what about two nouns or a noun with any other part of speech? These are Compound Nouns. These are formed by joining two or more nouns. These play an important role in everyday language. Do you want to see its importance just in our daily life? Classroom, Guestroom, Storeroom, Grandmother, Grandfather, Granddaughter, Grandson, and a lot more. What Is a Compound Noun? When a noun combines with another noun or any other parts of speech, it forms Compound noun. Let's explore the Definition, Examples, and Usage in Sentences, Types, and exercises. Definition of a Compound Noun It is defined as a noun formed by joining more than two different words. It forms by joining a noun with a noun or any other part of speech. Compound Nouns Examples: Here are Examples of Compound Nouns. Fast food Flower shop Sunflower Mother-in-law Types of Compound Nouns with Examples They are of three types. Compound noun types are as below, Spaced or Open Compound Noun This type of compound noun has space between the words that join together to form a compound noun. For example: Full moon Living room Flower shop Hyphenated Compound Noun A hyphenated compound noun has two words separated by a hyphen. For example: Up-to-date High-tech Tug-of-war Closed or Solid Compound Nouns These Compound Noun don't have spaces or hyphens between the joining words. They seem like a single word. For example: Sunflower Classroom Rainfall Possessive Compounds These are defined as phrases that indicate ownership or possession. Two words join together and show the ownership. It forms by adding an apostrophe and a "s" ('s). For Example: company’s assets Sam’s house Lisa’s toy Attributive Compounds: In an Attributive compound noun, one noun modifies the other to deliver a more precise meaning. The first noun acts as an attributive modifier or adjective and describes another. Greenhouse School bus Coffee table Appositive Compounds: It involves the modification or renaming of one noun by another. These provide additional information about the main noun. mother-in-law runner-up editor-in-chief Verb-Object Compounds: In this type of compound noun, a verb and an object are combined. The verb functions as an attributive modifier and describes the action happening. Tea ceremony Lunch break Singing competition Phrasal Compounds: When a noun combines with a participle, preposition, and adverb, it forms Phrasal Compounds. breakup setup backup Compound Nouns Formation Compound Noun can be formed by combining Noun with different parts of speech. Let's explore how compound noun is formed. Noun + Noun Here are examples of the formation of compound nouns by joining two nouns together. Compound Noun Noun Noun Bedroom Bed Room Bookshelf Book Shelf Raaincoat Rain Coat Noun + Verb Examples of Compound Noun formed by joining a noun and a verb. Compound Noun Noun Verb Haircut Hair Cut Walking stick Walking Stick Sunset Sun Set Noun + Gerund Formation of Compound Noun by joining Noun and Gerund. Here are examples. Compound Noun Noun Gerund Bookkeeping Book Keeping Copyediting Copy Editing Handwriting Hand Writing Gerund + Noun: Here is an example of a Compound Noun formed by combining a gerund and a noun. Compound Noun Gerund Noun Dressing table Dressing Table Visiting card Visiting Card Waiting room Waiting Room Preposition + Verb Here are examples of Compound Nouns formed by combining a preposition and a verb. Examples are: Compound Noun Preposition Verb Output Out Put Outlet Out Let Understand Under Stand Verb + Preposition Following are examples of compound nouns formed by joining a verb and a preposition. Compound Noun Verb Preposition Check-in Check In Breakdown Break Down Buildup Look Out Preposition + Noun The Preposition and Noun join together to form a Compound Noun. Compound Noun Preposition Noun Overnight Under Ground Afterlife After Life Background Back Ground Adjective + Noun An Adjective and Noun combine and form Compound Nouns. Compound Noun Adjective Noun Hardware Hard Ware Hotspot Hot Spot Smartphone Smart Phone Adjective + Verb The adjective combines with a verb and forms Compound Nouns. Compound Noun Adjective Verb Public speaking Public Speaking Everlasting Ever Lasting Highlight High Light Compound Nouns Quiz: Here is a Compound Nouns Exercise for a better understanding. 1- The fireman rescued the cat from the tree. A) Fireman B) Rescued C) Cat D) Tree Answer: A) Fireman 2- The football match was exciting. A) Football B) Match C) Exciting D) Was Answer: A) Football Our team won the championship." A) Our B) Team C) Won D) Championship Answer: D) Championship Compound Noun Quiz 2: Here's a Compound Noun exercise 2 for even better learning. Which Type of Compound Noun it is? She is sleeping in her bedroom. A) Hyphenated Compound Noun B) Closed or Solid Compound Noun C) Appositive Compound Noun D) Phrasal Compound Noun Answer: B) Closed or Solid Compound Noun 2- Which sentence contains a Hyphenated Compound Noun? A) She is going to a tea ceremony. B) He walks with a walking stick. C) Their breakup was respectful. D) The firefighter rushed to save a building. Answer: C) Their breakup was respectful 3- The raincoat protected her from the heavy downpour. A) Hyphenated Compound Noun B) Closed or Solid Compound Noun C) Appositive Compound Noun D) Phrasal Compound Noun Answer: B) Closed or Solid Compound Noun Compound Nouns, Definition, Examples, Types, Formation and Exercise.