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Old 04-Apr-2004, 00:12
Anonymous
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Default Combining plural concepts (1 of potentially many)

I am not going to try to identify the particular subjects of grammar my problem deals with, because I don’t know which subjects of grammar with which my problem deals; but if you do, please tell me: I’m anxious to find out and learn, I encounter this problem a lot.

Here is my problems:

I have a booklet that contains reports about developments. On the title page of the booklet, I want to convey that fact with any combination of variants of the words “development” and “report”. Which combinations should I use?

1.) Development Reports
2.) Developments Reports
3.) Development Report
4.) Developments Report

Facts:
-There is more than one development in a report.
-There is more than one report within the booklet.

My analysis:
3 and 4 are not suitable, because reports should be plural to convey that there are more than one report within the booklet.
1 can be a candidate for my purpose: “development” used as an adjective can relay that the reports are about development (one or more developments, I don’t know.) However, is it grammatical to use a noun as an adjective?
2 can be a candidate for my purpose too: “development” used as an adjective can relay that the reports are about developments. However, is it grammatical to use a noun as an adjective?

Am I addressing the right issues for my problem? What do you think?
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Old 04-Apr-2004, 00:19
RonBee's Avatar
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I say use the first one (Development Reports). You can use a noun as an adjective. It is frequently done.

:)
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Old 04-Apr-2004, 00:40
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Default Re: Combining plural concepts (1 of potentially many)

Quote:
Originally Posted by WASTHEBEST
I am not going to try to identify the particular subjects of grammar my problem deals with, because I don’t know which subjects of grammar with which my problem deals; but if you do, please tell me: I’m anxious to find out and learn, I encounter this problem a lot.

Here is my problems:

I have a booklet that contains reports about developments. On the title page of the booklet, I want to convey that fact with any combination of variants of the words “development” and “report”. Which combinations should I use?

1.) Development Reports
2.) Developments Reports
3.) Development Report
4.) Developments Report

Facts:
-There is more than one development in a report.
-There is more than one report within the booklet.

My analysis:
3 and 4 are not suitable, because reports should be plural to convey that there are more than one report within the booklet.
1 can be a candidate for my purpose: “development” used as an adjective can relay that the reports are about development (one or more developments, I don’t know.) However, is it grammatical to use a noun as an adjective?
2 can be a candidate for my purpose too: “development” used as an adjective can relay that the reports are about developments. However, is it grammatical to use a noun as an adjective?

Am I addressing the right issues for my problem? What do you think?
I agree with Ron. :wink:
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