Compound Nouns

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Compound Nouns
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Definition

• A compound noun is made of 2 or more words used
  together as a single noun.
• The parts of a compound noun may be written as
• A single wordtoothbrush, watermelon
• 2 or more separate wordsdining room
• A hyphenated wordrunner-up

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How to form plurals?

• Remember, compound nouns can be classified just
  like any other noun we have studied so far.
• To form plurals
• One word compoundsadd s or es
• Hyphenated or multi-wordmake the main word
  plural (The main noun is the most important word,
  and is the word that is modified by the other
  words).

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More Info

• There is no reliable way to predict whether a
  compound noun will be spelled as one word,
  hyphenated, or multi-worded.
• Check a dictionary if you are unsure.
• Most compound nouns can be recognized by their
  unusual stress pattern of placing the emphasis on
  the first word.
• Compare A supermarket is a grocery store, but a
  super market is a fantastic market.

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Why it Matters in Writing

• Compound nouns are very descriptivethey actually
  describe themselves. They also help writers
  paint clear pictures.
• Find the compound nouns in the following
  real-life excerpt from On the Road with Charles
  Kuralt.
• Dreamland Amusement Park is closed for the
  winterTaffy stands are shuttered, no teenagers
  screaming on the roller coaster, and at the
  merry-go-round, the exquisite carousel which has
  been right here since 1915, the horses are frozen
  in their classical posture, waiting for another
  spring.
• Charles Kuralt

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Try it!!Write each compound noun and state its 3
classifications.

1. The plains produce foodstuffs such as corn,
   wheat, and rye.
2. The cornstalks stand tall in South Dakota, a
   state that loves corn.
3. The Corn Palace is a famous building in Mitchell,
   a prairie town that welcomes cornhuskers.
4. Today it is called the agricultural show place of
   the world.
5. Each spring, the outside of the concrete building
   is covered with wall designs made of sweet corn,
   grains, and grasses.