Grammar
Compound nouns: spelling, stress, and use
A bus stop, a toothbrush, and a sister-in-law all name one thing or person, even though each has more than one part. Their spelling and pronunciation do not follow one simple pattern, so a dictionary is a useful final check.
Recognize common compound nouns, check whether they are closed, hyphenated, or open, and use their plural forms and spoken stress accurately.
Read and practice
Read the examples and try the written questions in this guide. Listening recordings are not available for this lesson yet.
Try the written questions
The airport bus leaves at noon. /ðiː ˈeəpɔːt bʌs liːvz æt nuːn/
The short answer
Treat a compound noun as one named idea. Learn its usual spelling as part of the word: toothbrush, bus stop, or check-in. Most compound nouns make their plural on the last word, but compounds such as sister-in-law make the first noun plural.
The bus stop is across the road.
Why it works: Bus stop is written as two words, but together the words name one place where a bus stops.
5 more examples
-
My notebook is on the kitchen table.
Notebook is a closed compound noun. It names one object used for writing.
Not this:My
note bookis a folder for meeting notes. What changes: With two separate nouns, note describes the kind of book rather than forming the usual compound noun. -
We waited near the coffee shop after class.
Coffee shop is an open compound noun. The two words name one kind of shop.
Not this:The
shop sells coffeefrom several local roasters. What changes: Here shop and coffee are separate parts of the sentence, so they do not form the compound noun coffee shop. -
Her sister-in-law lives near the station.
Sister-in-law is a hyphenated compound noun for a family relationship.
Not this:Her
sisters-in-lawlive in three different towns. What changes: The main noun sister becomes plural before the linking words in-law. -
The greenhouse needs a new door.
Greenhouse is usually said with stronger stress on GREEN. It names a glass building for growing plants.
Not this:They painted the
green houseby the river. What changes: Green house can mean a house that is green. Separate words and sentence meaning show the difference. -
The airport bus leaves every twenty minutes.
Airport bus is an open compound noun that names a bus service connected with an airport.
Not this:The
airport is busy, but the bus is empty. What changes: Airport and bus belong to separate statements, so they do not make one compound noun in this sentence.
Read the full guide
Start by asking whether the words name one person, object, place, or activity. If they do, you may be looking at a compound noun. Do not try to guess the spelling from the meaning alone. Write down the form you see in a reliable learner's dictionary, including any space or hyphen.
Recognize one named idea
A compound noun names one person, thing, place, or activity. It may contain two words, but the words work as one noun in the sentence.
The washing machine is running.
Washing machine names one appliance, not a separate action and object.
She bought a train ticket online.
Train ticket names one kind of ticket.
Does dining room name one place or two unrelated things?
It names one place: a room used for dining.
Learn the written form
Compound nouns can be closed, open, or hyphenated. Closed compounds join the parts, open compounds keep a space, and hyphenated compounds keep a hyphen. The form belongs to the word, so record it when you learn it.
A toothbrush is in the bathroom.
Toothbrush is a closed compound with no space.
The bottle opener is in the drawer.
Bottle opener is an open compound with a space.
What should you check before adding or removing a hyphen?
Check the compound in a current learner's dictionary, because spelling is specific to the word.
Make compound nouns plural
Most compound nouns take their plural ending on the final word. This is true whether the compound is closed, open, or hyphenated.
The bookstore ordered three new notebooks.
Notebook becomes notebooks because book is the final part.
Two bus stops are near the museum.
Bus stop becomes bus stops because stop is the final part.
Which form is usual for more than one runner-up?
Use runners-up. The plural ending goes on runner, the main noun in the expression.
Notice the main noun in exceptions
In a few compounds, the word that names the person comes before a linking word. Put the plural ending on that main noun, not at the very end.
Both sisters-in-law came to dinner.
Sister is the main noun, so sister changes to sisters.
Several passers-by stopped to help.
Passer is the main noun, so passer changes to passers.
Where does the plural go in mothers-in-law?
Put it on mother: mothers-in-law.
Listen for word stress
Many compound nouns have stronger stress on the first part. Say AIRport, DOORbell, and CHECK-in with a clear first beat. This pattern helps listeners hear the words as a unit.
The doorbell rang during dinner.
In doorbell, the first part usually carries the stronger stress.
Please finish the check-in before the meeting.
Check-in is a noun here, and the first part usually has stronger stress.
Is first-part stress guaranteed for every compound noun?
No. Use the pattern as a guide, then check the exact pronunciation when you are unsure.
Choose the compound that says what you mean
A compound can be more precise than two separate words. Choose it when you mean the established object, place, or role. Keep the words separate when you mean the ordinary adjective and noun.
The blackboard needs cleaning.
Blackboard names a board used for writing on.
A black board leaned against the wall.
Black board means a board with a black color. The words describe a different idea.
What can help you decide whether words make a compound noun?
Check whether the words name one established idea and confirm the usual form in a dictionary.
Before you go
Remember this
Compound nouns name one idea with two or more words. Learn each compound with its usual spelling: closed, open, or hyphenated. Put the plural ending on the final word in most cases, watch for forms such as sisters-in-law, and use a learner's dictionary to confirm spelling and stress.
Practice with the written examples
You can practice with the written questions in the Learn tab. Each answer includes an explanation.
Try the written questionsListening test not available yet
This lesson does not have the recordings needed for a listening test. Use the written questions in the guide to check your understanding.
Try the written questionsQuestions about "Compound nouns: spelling, stress, and use"
What is a compound noun?
A compound noun is a noun made from two or more words that work together as one named idea. A coffee shop, a notebook, and a sister-in-law are all compound nouns. The full expression can name a place, object, person, or activity.
My notebook is on the kitchen table.
How do I know whether a compound noun has a space or hyphen?
There is no spelling rule that decides every case. Some compounds are closed, such as notebook; some are open, such as coffee shop; and some are hyphenated, such as sister-in-law. Check a current learner's dictionary and learn the spelling with the word.
My note book is a folder for meeting notes.
Where does the plural go in a compound noun?
Most compound nouns take the plural ending on the final word: airport buses and coffee shops. When the main noun comes before a linking word, the plural may go there instead. For example, sister-in-law becomes sisters-in-law.
We waited near the coffee shop after class.
Do compound nouns always have stress on the first word?
Many compound nouns have stronger stress on the first part, as in GREENhouse and AIRport. This is a useful pattern, but it does not apply to every compound noun. A learner's dictionary can show the stress for the exact word or title you need.
The shop sells coffee from several local roasters.
Can spaces change the meaning of a compound noun?
Sometimes they can. A greenhouse names a glass building for growing plants, while a green house can mean a house with a green color. Read the whole sentence, then use the spelling that matches the idea you want to name.
Her sister-in-law lives near the station.