Compound Modifiers
Another way to use modifiers is to combine two or more descriptive words together to create a compound modifier. Compound modifiers are great because they present the information in a compact way instead of creating a long sentence.
| Using compound modifiers | Trail mix is a high-energy food for hikers. |
| Not using compound modifiers | Trail mix is a food for hikers that can give them a lot of energy. |
As you can see, the first sentence, using compound modifiers, is much shorter and cleaner than the second! Compound modifiers are used immediately before nouns just like other adjectives are.
Most compound modifiers are made up of the following combinations.
| Examples | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| number + noun | a two-hour hike | a twelve-passenger van | some ten-dollar bills |
| adjective + noun | a stainless-steel pipe | the low-budget option | a high-risk activity |
| adjective/adverb + participle | an unusual-looking puppy | a wheelchair-bound man | a high-ranking official |
| adjective + noun + ed | a kind-hearted person | a soft-spoken boy | the three-legged race |
| noun + participle | chocolate-covered peanuts | a dream-fulfilling vacation | blood-curdling scream |
In a compound modifier, plural nouns become singular. For example, it is a 'two-hour hike' not a 'two-hours hike.'
Compound modifiers must have a hyphen (-) between the two words. It is tricky to remember sometimes, because the words used in compound modifiers can also be used as regular description, where a hyphen is not needed.
| Needs a hyphen | Student hostels are great for travellers looking for a low-budget option. |
| Doesn't need a hyphen | Student hostels are great for those who are travelling on a low budget. |
In the first case, 'low-budget' is a modifier used to describe 'option.'
In the second case, 'low' is a modifier used to describe 'budget.' In this case, 'low budget' is not a modifier.
The best way to remember is that if the compound comes immediately before a noun, it is a compound modifier. If it does not, check to see if those two words together are describing one noun. If yes, put a hyphen in. If no, do not use a hyphen.
| Needs a hyphen | We went on a two-day trip. | It was a three-wheeled car. | Jenny is a very open-minded person. |
| Doesn't need a hyphen | The trip took two days. | The car had three wheels. | Jenny has a very open mind about things. |
Compound Nouns
Compound nouns are very different to compound modifiers. Compound nouns usually do not describe other nouns. They are just two words put together to describe one thing. Whereas a compound modifier becomes an adjective, a compound noun is still a noun.
Most compound nouns are made up of the following combinations:
| Examples | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| noun + noun | swimming suit | credit card | bedroom |
| adjective + noun | old age | common cold | atomic bomb |
| verb + preposition | outbreak | input | breakdown |
Notice that unlike with compound modifiers, compound nouns do not usually require hyphens. Many compound nouns are just one word.
Compound nouns can be count or noncount. The second noun is the main noun. If the second noun is countable, the compound noun can be made plural. If the second noun is noncount, the compound noun usually cannot be made plural.
| First Noun | Second Noun | Compound Noun | Plural |
|---|---|---|---|
| credit | card | credit card | credit cards |
| old | age | old age | - |
| swimming | pool | swimming pool | swimming pools |
| scuba | diving | scuba diving | - |
Exercise
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