Kengo
Junior Member
- Joined
- Jan 2, 2011
- Member Type
- Student or Learner
- Native Language
- Japanese
- Home Country
- Japan
- Current Location
- Japan
Hello people,
The title is what I have been seeking for fairly long but I haven't been able to find any refference.
My question is: when putting 2 nouns together to form one noun phrase, what decides the first noun should be singular or plural?
Here are some examples that puzzle me...
1. Book shop
This is simple as only the second word changes according to the number. i.e. book shops.
2. Security company / Securities company
This is understandable too as the first noun changes its meaning.
3. Emission cut / Emissions cut
I'm in trouble with this pattern as the essensial meaning of the first word stays the same.
It would be great to hear if there are any concerete rules behind. Any advice would be much appreciated.
The title is what I have been seeking for fairly long but I haven't been able to find any refference.
My question is: when putting 2 nouns together to form one noun phrase, what decides the first noun should be singular or plural?
Here are some examples that puzzle me...
1. Book shop
This is simple as only the second word changes according to the number. i.e. book shops.
2. Security company / Securities company
This is understandable too as the first noun changes its meaning.
3. Emission cut / Emissions cut
I'm in trouble with this pattern as the essensial meaning of the first word stays the same.
It would be great to hear if there are any concerete rules behind. Any advice would be much appreciated.