COMPOUND NOUNS

CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

A.    Background

Nouns are word for a person, animal, place, thing or an idea. Another type of noun we use a lot are compound nouns. These are usually made of two nouns or an adjective plus a noun. In considering compound nouns one needs to remember that they act as a single word and are modified by other adjectives and nouns. So, it is important to understand and learn them well.

Generally, the first word in the compound noun tells us what kind of person or thing it is or what purpose he,she, or it serves, while the second word defines the person or object, telling us who or what it is. Compound nouns also may be countable, uncountable or only used in either the singular or plural form.

B.     Formulation of the Problems

1.      What is definition of Compound nouns?

2.      How to write Compound nouns?

3.      How to make a plural forms of Compound nouns?

4.      What are the examples of Compound nouns?

5.      How to pronunciation  a Compound  Nouns?

C.    Purposes

1.      To know the definition of Compound nouns

2.      To know how to write Compound nouns

3.      To know how to make a plural forms of Compound nouns

4.      To know the examples of Compound nouns

5.      To know how to pronunciation a Compound nouns

CHAPTER II

CONTENT

A.    Definition of Compound Nouns

Compound  Noun is a noun that is made with two or more words and functions as a noun. Words can be combined to form compound nouns. They normally have two parts. The first part tells us what kind of object or person it is, or what its purpose is. The second part identifies the object or person.

Compound  nouns can be formed in different ways. The most common way is to put two nouns together (noun + noun). Other common types are adjective + noun and verb + noun.

B.     Writing Compound Nouns

There are three forms for compound nouns:

1.      Closed form - has two words that have melded together to make one word, like: softball, redhead, makeup, and keyboard.

2.      Hyphenated form- connected with a hyphen, examples are: six-pack, five-year-old, and son-in-law.

3.      Open or spaced form - has the words next to each other, like: post office and upper class.

Sometimes, the hyphen disappears as the word is more widely used, and it becomes a closed word.

C.     Plural Forms of Compound Nouns

When making a compound noun plural, if the noun is one word, add s to the end. If it is two words or hyphenated, add  s to the part that  is plural, not the whole noun. Look at these examples:

singular	plural
a tennis shoe	three tennis shoes
a mother-in-law	two mothers-in-law
my toothbrush	our toothbrushes

D.    Examples of Compound Nouns

The elements in a compound noun are very diverse parts of speech.

noun	+	noun	bus stop	Let’s just wait at this bus stop
			football	Shall we play football today?
adjective	+	noun	full moon	I always feel crazy at full moon.
			blackboard	Clean the blackboard please.
verb(-ing)	+	noun	swimming pool	Let’s be sure to stay somewhere with a swimming pool
			washing machine	Put the clothes in the red washing machine.
noun	+	verb	sunrise	I like to get up at sunrise.
			haircut	You need a haircut.
verb	+	preposition	check-out	Please remember that check-out is at 12 noon.
noun	+	prepositional phrase	mother-in-law	My mother-in-law lives with us.
preposition	+	noun	Past live	Do you believe in past lives?
noun	+	adjective	truckful	We need 10 truckfuls of bricks.
adjective	+	verb	dry-cleaning	She owns four dry-cleaning places now
Adjective	+	preposition	forthwith	I repeat my wish that you should come to her forthwith
noun	+	preposition	hanger-on	I am a gentlemen here, but only a hanger-on at home
preposition	+	verb	input	I guess i’d like a little input from you, if you don’t mind

Here are examples of common countable nouns.

1.      Credit card

2.      Alarm clock

3.      Tea-bag

4.      Contact lens

5.      Blood donor

Examples of common uncountable compound nouns

1.      Family planning

2.      Birth control

3.      Cotton wool

4.      Mail order

E.     Compound Nouns Based on Phrasal Verbs

Most of Compound nouns are based on phrasal verbs. Nouns based on phrasal verbs often have an informal feel to them and they are particularly common in newspaper reporting. Here are some examples.

1.      There has been a break-out from the local prison. ( escape )

2.      There is going to be a crack-down on public spending. ( action against)

These nouns have economic associations.

1.      We’re trying to find some new outlets for our products. ( place to sell )

2.      Take your things to the check-out to pay for them. ( cash-desk)

These nouns are associated with technology and other aspects of contemporary life.

1.      Output has increased thanks to new technology. ( production )

2.      We have a rather rapid staff turnover. ( change )

Some of the words can be used in more general circumtances.

1.      TV companies always welcome feedback from viewers. ( comments )

2.      The outcome of the situation was not very satisfactory. ( conclusion )

F.     Pronunciation

Stress is important in pronunciation, as it distinguishes between a compound noun and an adjective with a noun. In compound nouns, the stress usually falls on the first syllable:

CAR park, BATHroom, WEBsite, BROther-in-law, DOORbell, CHECK-in

However, not all compound nouns follow this rule. Some have spoken stress on the second part, especially in proper names and titles:

Mount EVerest, Prime MINister, New YORK          

CHAPTER III

CLOSING

Conclusion

Compound nouns are words for people, animals, places, things, or ideas, made up of two or more words. Most compound nouns are made with nouns that have been modified by adjectives or other nouns.

In many compound nouns, the first word describes or modifies the second word, giving us insight into what kind of thing an item is, or providing us with clues about the item’s purpose. The second word usually identifies the item. Many compound nouns are written as one word, but some are written with hyphens or spaces.

When making a compound noun plural, if the noun is one word, add s to the end. If it is two words or hyphenated, add s to the part that is plural, not the whole noun. Compound nouns tend to have more stress on the first word.

Suggestion

Hopefully this paper is useful for writers in particular are also dear readers in general. Such review this time, may be useful for you and also inspire.