GV

Compound Nouns

Two words forming one noun: toothpaste, bus stop, mother-in-law

intermediate

When to Use Compound Nouns

  • •Noun + noun: bus stop, toothpaste, football, bedroom.
  • •Adjective + noun: blackboard, software, greenhouse.
  • •Verb + noun: swimming pool, washing machine.
  • •Noun + verb: sunrise, haircut.
  • •Written as: one word (toothpaste), two words (bus stop), or hyphenated (mother-in-law).

How to Form Compound Nouns

Affirmative (+)

First word modifies second; stress usually on first word

Negative (-)

Same structure

Question (?)

Same structure

💡 Plural usually on the last word: bus stops, toothbrushes. Exception: mothers-in-law.

Examples of Compound Nouns

✓I need to buy some toothpaste.

✗I need to buy some paste of tooth.

Compound noun, not 'of' phrase.

✓The bus stop is over there.

✗The stop of bus is over there.

Compound noun structure.

✓My mothers-in-law are visiting.

✗My mother-in-laws are visiting.

Plural on main noun in hyphenated compounds.

Common Mistakes with Compound Nouns

💡 Practice Tips for Compound Nouns

  • • Stress usually on the first word: BUS stop, TOOTH paste.
  • • Check dictionary for spelling: one word, two words, or hyphenated.
  • • Plural on last word usually: bus stops, toothbrushes.
  • • Hyphenated compounds: plural on main noun (mothers-in-law).
Quick Quiz
  1. 1.I'm going to the   to catch the next bus.
  2. Question 2: The plural of 'mother-in-law' is blank — the plural marker goes on the main noun.
    2.The plural of 'mother-in-law' is — the plural marker goes on the main noun.
  3. Question 3: My grandfather lost his blank (tooth + brush) on the camping trip.
    3.My grandfather lost his (tooth + brush) on the camping trip.
  4. Question 4: Two blank (bus + stop, plural) were closed for repairs.
    4.Two (bus + stop, plural) were closed for repairs.
  5. 5.Which compound noun is written correctly? 
  6. Question 6: We need to buy more blank — the tube is almost empty. (tooth + paste)
    6.We need to buy more — the tube is almost empty. (tooth + paste)
  7. Question 7: The plural of 'passer-by' is blank — pluralise the main noun.
    7.The plural of 'passer-by' is — pluralise the main noun.
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