A ‣ What are compound nouns?

A compound noun is a fixed expression which is made up of more than one word and functions as a noun. Such expressions are frequently combinations of two nouns, e.g. car park, human being [person], science fiction [fiction based on some kind of scientific fantasy]. A number of compound nouns are related to phrasal verbs and these are dealt with in Unit 76.

B ‣ How are compound nouns written?

If you understand both parts of the compound noun, the meaning will usually be clear. Compound nouns are usually written as two words, e.g. tin opener [an opener for tins], bank account [an account in a bank], pedestrian crossing [a place for people to cross a road], but sometimes they are written with a hyphen instead of a space between the words, e.g. self-control [control over your own emotions and reactions]. Sometimes they may be written as one word, e.g. earring, trademark [the symbol of a product], babysitter [someone who stays with a baby/child while parents are out].

Note that there are no strict rules about which compound words should be written in which way. There is a lot of variation even between dictionaries.

C ‣ Stress in compound nouns

Usually the main stress is on the first part of the compound but sometimes it is on the second part. In the common compound nouns below, the word which contains the main stress is underlined.

D ‣ Grammar of compound nouns

Compound nouns may be countable, uncountable or only used in either the singular or the plural. The examples given in C are all countable compound nouns. Here are some examples of common uncountable compound nouns.

Here are some examples of common compound nouns used only in the singular.

Here are some examples of common compound nouns used only in the plural.