Compound Nouns

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Guest

#83077 Wed, 23 Mar 05 01:18 AM

Hello. My book says that compound nouns are two words. But, can a compound noun be more than 2 words? For example, real estate agent? Thank you.

Guest

Nouns

CalifJim

#83123 Wed, 23 Mar 05 05:49 AM

Yes, such compounds of more than two words are not particularly uncommon. You are even likely to find some with four or even five words. "English grammar question", "health department rule book", "railroad car seat cover", "earthquake insurance provider", "folksong writers convention", etc.

CJ

CalifJim

Joined on Mon, Aug 2 2004

California

Veteran Member (16,927)

"There are no facts, only interpretations" - Nietzsche

paco2004

#83124 Wed, 23 Mar 05 05:59 AM

Hello Guest

Yes you can use long compound nouns if you like them. But caution! If you use a noun phrase made with too many nouns, your reader might fail to get the exact sense of the phrase.

(1) The President Bush's 30 percent arms expenditure reduction proposal just passed the Congress.
(2) The proposal by President Bush to reduce arms expenditures by 30 percent just passed the Congress.

Which one do you feel is easier to take the meaning?

paco

[PS] CJ, Sorry! I didn't notice you had already answered.

paco2004