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Putting quotation marks for an adjective-functioning word, phrase, or claus

General English Grammar & Vocabulary,... » ESL General English Grammar Questions

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Latest post Mon, Sep 10 2007 3:02 PM by Mister Micawber. 1 replies.
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Believer  +  416692 Mon, 10 Sep 07 01:38 PM

Hi,

I think an expert here said something to the effect that a word, phrase, or even a clause can be put in quotation marks if its usage or use is abnormal or extraordinary; but I seem to be encountering many instances where a noun is acting as an adjective and that noun doesn't seem to be a usual candidate for that adjectival function. How different in terms of usage it has to be for it to have a privilege of adorning itself with a pair of quotation marks?

example:

a democracy blessing -- Should I put "domocracy" in quotation marks. Usually, I don't see the word "democracy" in an adjectival position, I don't think. Isn't its use unusual? Is it unusal enough?    
Believer
Joined on Mon, Jan 2 2006
Contributing Member 1,969
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Mister Micawber  +  416739 Mon, 10 Sep 07 03:02 PM

Well, I don't like your example, because I think an ENL would use 'a blessing of democracy'; but in any case, nouns are frequently used as adjectives-- no quotation marks required.  By 'abnormal usage' is generally meant 'abnormal meaning'.
Mister Micawber
Joined on Wed, Aug 4 2004
Yokohama
Veteran Member 30,802
'The question is,' said Humpty Dumpty, 'which is to be master-- that's all.'
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