1. Overview:
Compound nouns are made of two or more words that together form one noun with a new meaning. They are used to describe people, places, things, or ideas in a more detailed way.
2. Cases of Usage:
Case 1: When two nouns are combined to describe a specific type of something.
Example: "Toothbrush" (tooth + brush) refers to a brush used for cleaning teeth.
Case 2: When an adjective and a noun are combined to form a noun that describes a characteristic or quality.
Example: "High school" (high + school) refers to a school for students typically in grades 9 through 12.
Case 3: When a gerund (verb in -ing form) and a noun are combined to create a noun that indicates an action or process.
Example: "Swimming pool" (swimming + pool) refers to a pool used for swimming.
3. Exceptions or Things to Pay Attention To:
Not all combinations of words form compound nouns. For example, "red car" is not a compound noun; it is a noun with an adjective. Additionally, some compound nouns can be written as one word (e.g., "notebook"), hyphenated (e.g., "mother-in-law"), or as separate words (e.g., "ice cream").
4. Additional Notes:
Common mistakes include confusing compound nouns with phrases that include adjectives and nouns. Remember that compound nouns create a new meaning, while adjective-noun combinations describe qualities without forming a new noun.
Example: blackboard vs black board
