Compounds. Are they confusing?
Learn the correct way to use them. Why we use them with useful examples and exercises.
We fuse two words or more together to create another word with a different meaning.
The following phrase might be thought-provoking. What would I do if I was on a desert Island? After my sinking ship went down at sea, I got into a lifeboat to safety. Under the sea, it’s now a shipwreck. What would I take? A penknife or a first aid kit.
Desert Island
Shipwreck
Buried Treasure
Palm tree
Words like bus stop and train station we assume are original but really they were new words added into the mix.
Interestingly, two-thirds of English is made up of compounds, so what form do they take? They are the most commonly used word formation in the English language.
The individual word stands alone with its original meaning.
Each type of compound changes the meaning of the individual word.
Here we look at compounds in 3 forms.
1.Closed compounds (1 word).
Sunflower
Butterfly
Sunshine
Sunflower - Sun + flower
Butterfly - Butter + fly
Sunshine - Sun + shine
“My favourite flower is the sunflower.”
“There are so many butterflies in the garden.”
“The sunshine is glorious today.”
2. Hyphenated compounds (2 words or more).
Mother-in-law
Life-size
Runner-up
Mother+in+law
Life+size
Runner+up
“I get on well with my mother-in-law.”
“It was a life-size model.”
“He was a runner-up in the race!”
3. Open or split compounds (2 words).
Open compounds are usually two separate words and are usually nouns but when they are used as verbs it is different. We use for a phrasal reason.
Ice cream cone
Beach house
Leisure time
Ice+cream+cone
Beach+house
Leisure+time
“I eat Ice cream in the summer months.”
“My beach house is close to the sea.”
“In my leisure time I play squash.”
A point to remember is if they are used before a noun they are usually hyphenated.
Sun-dried tomatoes
Hard-boiled egg
Dry-cleaned clothes
“I eat my sun-dried tomatoes for lunch.”
“I have a hard-boiled egg for breakfast.”
“I have my suits dry-cleaned.”
So some are used as nouns, but they can be used as adjectives too!
"We can offer a high-quality service" or "apply for a part-time job."
So, do we use them for anything else?
As phrasal verbs go, a well-known saying, we can use compounds.
Phrasal verbs
We can have to look after a sick relative or, get hold of a friend (to speak to,)
“I must go and care for my sick relative.”
“I need to get hold of my manager.”
Is it just about nouns?
Two clauses of a sentence can be combined using and, but, or so to improve the flow.
“She missed the train so she was late for work.”
“He was full and he still ate more food.”
“The sun was shining but it was cold outside.”
Form the compound to create places of leisure. For example Bowling + Alley = Bowling Alley.
Purpose |
Place |
A.Bowling | |
B.Tennis |
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Using the words here, complete the sentences. For example, life jackets were given out to passengers
Life Jacket | Toothpaste | Empty-handed | X-ray | Bedroom
➊ The …………..were given out to passengers aboard the ship.
➋ She left ………… from the fair, she didn’t win a thing!
➌ I think you broke your leg. You might need an ………
➍ My ………. Is mint-flavoured.
➎ I live in a 2 ………….. apartment.
Using and, but or so. Change the following into compound sentences. For example, we ran out of money so the business closed.
1. We ran out of money. The business closed.
2. It is autumn. The leaves are falling.
3. What time? I can be ready.
4. I think you broke your leg. You might need an x-ray.
5. I left on time. I was late again.
In summary, compounds add some richness to the English language. They allow us to create a single ideas more effectively and help users form more complex sentences to build their word bank. Combining nouns and adjectives adding fluidity to our speaking.
Answers.
Exercise 1.
A. Bowley Alley
B. Tennis Court
C. Dance Studio
D. Swimming Pool
E. Gof Course
F. Ice Rink
Exercise 2
The …………..were given out to passengers aboard the ship (lifeboats)
She left ………… from the fair, she didn’t win a thing (empty-handed)
I think you broke your leg. You might need an …… (x-ray)
My ………. Is mint-flavoured.(toothpaste)
I live in a 2 ………….. apartment (bedroomed)
Exercise 3
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