A compound noun is a fixed expression wich is made up of more than one word and functions as a noun. Such expressions are frequently combinations of two nouns, ex: addres book, human being, science fiction
Compound nouns may be written as two words ex: tin opener, bank account,
or they may be written a hyphen instead of a space between the words ex: pen-name, baby-sitter
Sometimes they may be written as one word ex: earring
Compound nouns may be countable, uncountable or only used in either the singular or the plural. There are examples of each of these types below. Check that understand the meanings of each of the expressions listed. If you understand both elements of the expression, the meaning will usually be clear. If the meaning is not fairly obvious, then it is provided below.
Usually the main stress is on the first part of the compound but sometimes it is on the second part. The word wich contains the main stress is underlined in the compound nouns below.
Here are some examples of common countable compound nonus:
alarm clock assembly line blood donor book token
burglar alarm contact lens credit card handcuts
heart attack package holiday pedestrian crossing shoe horn
tea-bag windscreen windscreen wiper youth hostel
Here are some examples of common uncountable compound nonus they are never used with an article:
air-traffic control birth control blood pressure cotton wool
data-processing family planning food poisonning pocket money
income tax junk food mail order hay fever
