A ‣ Compound nouns based on phrasal verbs

An example of a compound noun based on a phrasal verb is a takeover [when one company takes control of another] from to take over. In sections B to E you will see these types of nouns in context. The meaning of the compound noun is given in brackets. To form the plural, ‘s’ is added to the end, e.g. workouts [exercise sessions, e.g. at the gym].

B ‣ Journalism

Nouns based on phrasal verbs often have an informal feel to them and they are particularly common in newspaper reporting.

In response to the pay offer, there was a walkout at the factory. [strike]

There is going to be a crackdown on public spending. [ action to stop/reduce]

An enquiry into the recent breakout from the local prison has recommended measures to tighten security there. [escape]

Last month saw a tremendous shake-up in personnel. [change]

Last week we reported on the break-up of the mayor's marriage. [collapse]

C ‣ The economy

The takeover of one of our leading hotel chains has just been announced. [purchase by another company]

We're trying to find some new outlets for our ptoducts. [places to sell]

Take your things to the check-out to pay for them. [cash desk]

Cutbacks will be essential until the recession is over. [reductions]

Our profit was £1,000 on a turnover of £10,000. [money passing through a company]

The banks were given a huge bailout by the government. [money given to a company to save it from failure]

D ‣ Aspects of modern life

What the computer produces depends on the input. [information that is put in]

Output has increased thanks to new technology. [production]

We have a rather rapid staff turnover. [change]

Just after leaving school he went through a stage of being a dropout. [person who rejects society]

The consequences of fallout from the explosion at the nuclear reactor were felt for many years. [radioactive dust in the atmosphere]

I can easily get you a printout of the latest figures. [paper on which computer information has been printed]

A breakthrough has been made in AIDS research. [important discovery]

E ‣ General

The following words can be used in more general circumstances.

Many of the problems were caused by a breakdown in communications. [failure]

The outlook for tomorrow is good - sunny in most places. [prospect]

There are drawbacks as well as advantages to every situation. [negative aspects]

The outcome of the meeting was not very satisfactory. [conclusion]

TV companies always welcome feedback from viewers. [comments]

It was clear from the outset that the set-up would cause problems. [start; situation]

We parked in a lay-by on the bypass. [parking space at the side of a road; road avoiding the centre of a town]

The outbreak of war took many people by surprise. [start of something unpleasant]