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 22,458 "There are no facts, only interpretations" - Nietzsche Grammar, English Grammar

	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 Joined on Wed, Nov 17 2004 Senior Member 4,095 In Japan today even dogs are learning how to bow-wow in English. Nouns, Noun Phrases

	CalifJim  +  83439 Thu, 24 Mar 05 05:21 AM Not to worry. It happens all the time. CalifJim