[Grammar] Compound nouns

Status
Not open for further replies.

The French

Senior Member
Joined
Jun 12, 2009
Member Type
Student or Learner
Native Language
French
Home Country
France
Current Location
France
Hi all,

I am trying to find a grammar rule about the compound nouns but I do not find one. Maybe there is no rules about this issue, nonetheless I appreciate if some people can show me a way to understand what or how to write them well.

Thanks in advance for your opinion or your knowledgement about this subject (Do not hesitate to correct me, I am not going to be upset)
;-)
 

mara_ce

VIP Member
Joined
Jun 14, 2009
Member Type
Other
Native Language
Spanish
Home Country
Argentina
Current Location
Argentina
Hi The French,

I´ve found these rules. I hope they help. :)

There are single-accented compounds that take the accent on the first element:

_The largest group is formed by the combination of two nouns:

a)The second noun indicates the performer of the action, as in:
baby-sitter, book-seller, car-dealer, vacuum cleaner, bartender, housekeeper, etc.

b)The first noun delimits the meaning of the second, by stating “What type of thing” it is:
school-days, bed-clothes, air-craft, time-bomb, newsagent, waterfall, etc.

_Another important group is formed by the combination of adjectives and nouns.

Normally when a noun is preceded by an adjective, both are accented:
blackberry, grandchild, secondary school, folk music, greengrocer, dark room, steering-wheel, parking zone, etc.

_Verbs and nouns sometimes combine, as in:
catchword, cookbook, pickpocket, cork-screw, fire-escape, pushchair, etc.

There are double-accented compounds that take the primary accent on the second element:

_One group is made of nouns:

a)The first noun indicates the position of the second one, as in:
country-house, camp-bed, shop window, kitchen cupboard, etc.

b)The second is made of the first one, as in:
apple sauce, olive oil, cotton wool, fruit salad, etc.

c)Other common noun + noun compounds are:
woman driver, fellow-citizen, city centre, mother tongue, ground floor, mass media, etc.

_Some common double-accented compounds formed by nouns and adjectives are:

a)Adjective + noun:
civil war, best man, prime minister, wet blanket, sliding door, common sense, best-seller, etc.

b)Noun + adjective:
navy blue, snow-white, world-wide, rent free, stone-deaf, etc.

_Participles make up some common compounds, e.g.:
air-conditioning, high-minded, home-made, good-looking, old-fashioned, easy-going, deep-frozen, etc.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top