Guide to Compound Nouns – TOEIC® Preparation
Flow Exam team
In English, compound nouns result from the combination of two or more terms that, together, generate a new and specific meaning. Their use is extremely widespread in professional and daily language. These structures can appear in three distinct formats: joined into a single word, connected by a hyphen, or separated by a space.
1. The Three Writing Formats for Compound Nouns
| Format | Examples |
|---|---|
| Closed Compound | bedroom, passport, weekend |
| Hyphenated | father-in-law, self-control, well-being |
| Open Compound | bus stop, coffee shop, living room |
2. Grammatical Combinations to Form a Compound Noun
Compound nouns arise from multiple grammatical associations involving nouns, verbs, adjectives, or even prepositions. Here are the most frequent construction patterns for the TOEIC®:
| Grammatical Structure | Examples |
|---|---|
| Noun + Noun | bedroom, coffee cup, bus driver |
| Adjective + Noun | software, hardware, shortcut |
| Verb + Noun | breakfast, playground, driving license |
| Noun + Verb (-ing) | window shopping, sightseeing, skydiving |
| Verb + Preposition | makeup, takeoff, input |
| Preposition + Noun | overtime, income, outlook |
3. Forming the Plural of Compound Nouns
The formation of the plural for compound nouns follows specific rules that depend on their internal structure. Here are the essential principles to master for the TOEIC®:
A. The -s is placed on the main element
When the compound noun contains an identifiable main noun, it is this element that receives the plural marker, even if it is not in the final position.
- toothbrush → toothbrushes (toothbrushes)
- mother-in-law → mothers-in-law (mothers-in-law)
- bus stop → bus stops (bus stops)
B. The final -s for closed words
When the compound noun forms a single term without a hyphen or space, you simply add the -s in the last position.
- bedroom → bedrooms (bedrooms)
- passport → passports (passports)
- weekend → weekends (weekends)
C. Irregular Plurals
Some compound nouns follow irregular pluralization rules, generally inherited from the irregular form of the first element.
- man-of-war → men-of-war (warships)
- passerby → passersby (bystanders)
- woman doctor → women doctors (female doctors)
Additional Resources
Also discover these other grammar guides to optimize your TOEIC® preparation:
- 🔗 Complete Guide to Nouns for the TOEIC®
- 🔗 The Guide to Countable and Uncountable Nouns – TOEIC® Preparation
- 🔗 The Guide to Plural Nouns – TOEIC® Preparation
- 🔗 Complete TOEIC® Preparation Program
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