compound modifier

[curiousmind]

Hi

Can someone please help me out?

1. do you say "five-color pond" or "five-colored pond" why?

2. do you say Padmasambha is also known as Lotus-born or Lotus-Born, why?


Thanks!

curiuosmind

[TheParser]

Hi

Can someone please help me out?

1. do you say "five-color pond" or "five-colored pond" why?

2. do you say Padmasambha is also known as Lotus-born or Lotus-Born, why?


Thanks!

curiuosmind

***** NOT A TEACHER !!! *****

Curiousmind,


(1) I think that most teachers would prefer

a five-colored pond.

Why? Well, we are saying: The pond is five colored.

(-ed changes the word "color" to an adjective)

We then say: It is a five-colored pond.

BUT some native speakers do write "five color" because

maybe they say "five color." It takes more strength to say

"five-colored."

If it is possible, try to follow the rule. For example:

You have a curious mind.

You are curious-minded.

You are a curious-minded person.

Sometimes you will read: X is a medium-size country.

The rules say: medium-sized. But, as I said, many people

speak fast and do not want to pronounce "sized" because

it is easier to say "size." That may be why many people

nowadays write "medium-size." It is probably better if

you follow the rule and say/write "sized."

*****

Usually the word "born" in a compound is not capitalized:

The newly born baby was very hungry.

Foreign-born students do very well in American schools.

BUT since Padmasambha is a person (am I correct? I am

just guessing), maybe you would capitalize "Lotus-Born"

Since it is his name, it would look "funny" with a lower-case

(small letter) "b." (Only my opinion)

THANK YOU

[curiousmind]

Thanks for your very clear explanation on the rules! Now, I know when to use "ed" and when NOT to use it.

you are right about the "medium-sized." I have only seen "medium-size", but I see why now.

thanks very much again!!

curious mind