Compound Noun
Compound nouns are used to identify a class of people, places, things or a particular name. It is an important topic for all students, especially for those who are preparing for competitive examinations. One or more questions from this topic are asked in every competitive examination.
What is a Compound Noun?
A compound noun is a type of noun that is formed by combining two or more words to create a new noun. There are three types of compound nouns, including Open or spaced compound nouns, hyphenated compound nouns, and closed or solid compound nouns.
Definition of Compound Noun :
“Compound Noun is a noun that is made with two or more words together.”
We can also say – “Compound Nouns are made by joining more than one word together.”
Types of Compound Nouns –
There are three main types of Compound Nouns.
1. Closed or Solid Compound Nouns
2. Spaced or Open Compound Nouns
3. Hyphenated Compound Nouns
Closed or Solid Compound Nouns :
Closed or Solid Compound Noun is made up by joining two words without any spaces or hyphens.
Examples: Sunflower, Football, Bathroom, Rainfall etc.
Spaced or Open Compound Nouns :
It is made up of joining two words with a space.
Examples : Cricket bat, Fast food, Ice cream, Rain forest etc.
Hyphenated Compound Nouns :
Hyphenated Compound Noun is made up by joining two or more words by a hyphen.
Examples : Mother-in-law, Self – esteem, Father-in-law etc.
Compound Nouns Examples
Washing machine, Greenhouse, Dining – table, Bus stop, Swimming pool, Sunrise, Sunset, Blackboard, Whiteboard, Mother – in – law, Output, Check – out, Check-in, Haircut, Hotspot, Smartphone, Hardware, Long lasting, Underline, Underground, Shutdown, Input, Overthrow.
Forming Compound Nouns with all Parts of Speech
Compound Nouns can be formed by combining different parts of speech. Here we form compound Nouns with the help of all parts of speech.
Noun + Noun
| Noun | Noun | Compound Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Bus | Stop | Bus stop |
| Foot | Ball | Football |
| Air | Port | Airport |
| Basket | Ball | Basketball |
| Railway | Station | Railway station |
Noun + Verb
| Noun | Verb | Compound Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Sun | Rise | Sunrise |
| Sun | Set | Sunset |
| Foot | Footprint | |
| Snow | Fall | Snowfall |
| Rain | Fall | Rainfall |
Noun + Preposition
| Noun | Preposition | Compound Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Mother | in – law | Mother – in – law |
| Son | in – law | Son – in – law |
| Brother | in – law | Brother – in – law |
Preposition + Verb
| Preposition | Verb | Compound Noun |
|---|---|---|
| In | Put | Input |
| Out | Put | Output |
| In | Take | Intake |
| Over | Throw | Overthrow |
Verb + Preposition
| Verb | Preposition | Compound Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Check | In | Check-in |
| Check | Out | Check – out |
| Break | Down | Breakdown |
| Build | Up | Build up |
| Shut | Down | Shutdown |
Preposition + Noun
| Preposition | Noun | Compound Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Under | Line | Underline |
| Under | Ground | Underground |
| Off | Shore | Offshore |
| Up | Stairs | Upstairs |
| Over | Night | Overnight |
Adjective + Noun
| Adjective | Noun | Compound Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Black | Board | Blackboard |
| White | Board | Whiteboard |
| Hard | Ware | Hardware |
| Hot | Spot | Hotspot |
| Soft | Ware | Software |
Adjective + Verb
| Adjective | Verb | Compound Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Long | Lasting | Long-lasting |
| Ever | Lasting | Everlasting |
| High | Light | Highlight |
| Long | Awaited | Long awaited |
List of Compound Nouns
Washing machine, Greenhouse, Dining – table, Bus stop, Swimming pool, Sunrise, Sunset, Blackboard, Whiteboard, Mother – in – law, Output, Check – out , Check – in , Haircut , Hotspot, Smartphone , Hardware, Long lasting, Underline, Underground, Shutdown, Input, Overthrow.
Rules for Compound Noun
1. When the compound noun is singular or a single word, make it plural by adding s to the end.
Examples :
Underline – underlines
Hotspot – hotspots
2. When the compound noun is hyphenated or separated, make it plural by adding s to the word that is plural.
Example :
Mother-in-law = Two mothers-in-law
Difference between Compound Nouns and Collective Noun
A collective noun is a single word which refers to a group or a team and that can be singular or plural.
Examples :
flock = A group of birds
Troop = A group of army
Team = A group of player
A compound noun is made up of more than one word.
Examples :
Blackboard = black + board
Ice cream = Ice + cream
Overnight = over + night
Practice Questions/Quiz
Read the sentences carefully and identify the compound nouns given below.
1. Write something on the blackboard.
2. My teacher had a heart attack.
3. They swim in the swimming pool.
4. Rahul’s father-in-law went to America last month.
5. My friend booked a dining – table for his colleagues in a restaurant.
6. In 2022, Argentina won the FIFA football match.
7. Do not drive without a driving licence.
8. Please underline the word.
9. Due to inflation, many Chinese companies shut down their company.
10. She is my mother-in-law.
Answer
1. blackboard
2. heart attack
3. swimming pool
4. father – in – law
5. dining – table
6. football
7. driving licence.
8. underline
9. shutdown
10. mother-in-law.
FAQ’s on Compound Noun
Que1. What is a Compound Nouns?
Ans. A compound Noun is a noun that is made with two or more words together.
Compound Nouns are made by joining more than one word together.
Que2. What are 10 examples of Compound Nouns?
Ans. 1. blackboard
2. heart attack
3. swimming pool
4. father – in – law
5. dining – table
6. football
7. driving licence.
8. underline
9. shutdown
10. mother-in-law.
Que3. What are 3 Compound Nouns?
Ans. Blackboard, Hotspot, Input.
What are compound nouns? Here, we’ll take an up-close look at compound nouns so you can recognize them when you see them, plus we’ll provide you with some compound noun examples that will help you use them effectively.
Compound nouns are words for people, animals, places, things, or ideas, made up of two or more words. Most compound nouns are made with nouns that have been modified by adjectives or other nouns.
In many compound nouns, the first word describes or modifies the second word, giving us insight into what kind of thing an item is, or providing us with clues about the item’s purpose. The second word usually identifies the item.
Compound nouns are sometimes one word, like toothpaste, haircut, or bedroom. These are often referred to as closed or solid compound nouns.
Sometimes compound nouns are connected with a hyphen: dry-cleaning, daughter-in-law, and well-being are some examples of hyphenated compound nouns.
Sometimes compound nouns appear as two separate words: full moon, Christmas tree, and swimming pool are some examples of compound nouns that are formed with two separate words. These are often referred to as open or spaced compound nouns.
Compound Noun Examples
The more you read and write, the more compound noun examples you’ll encounter. The following sentences are just a few examples of compound nouns. Compound noun examples have been italicized for easy identification.
Compound nouns can be made with two nouns:
Let’s just wait at this bus stop.
I love watching fireflies on warm summer nights.
While you’re at the store, please pick up some toothpaste, a six-pack of ginger ale, and some egg rolls.
Compound nouns can be made with an adjective and a noun:
Let’s watch the full moon come up over the mountain.
Please erase the blackboard for me.
Compound nouns can be made with a verb and a noun:
Be sure to add bleach to the washing machine.
Let’s be sure to stay somewhere with a swimming pool.
Compound nouns can be made with a noun and a verb:
He always gets up before sunrise.
I really could use an updated hairstyle.
Compound nouns can be made with a verb and a preposition:
Checkout is at noon.
Please remember to schedule your dog’s annual check-up.
Compound nouns can be made with a noun and a prepositional phrase:
My mother-in-law is the kindest person I know.
Compound nouns can be made with a preposition and a noun:
Do you believe in past lives?
This city is vibrant, so it’s hard to believe it has a thriving criminal underworld.
Compound nouns can be made with a noun and an adjective:
We need a truckful of mulch for the garden.
Compound Nouns Exercises
Choose the word that makes each of these nouns into a compound noun.
- Fund __________ (A – driver, B – seat, C – raiser)
- News __________ (A– paper, B – story, C – travels)
- Sun ____________ (A– day, B – glasses, C – heat)
- Child ___________ (A – hood, B – ren, C – play)
- Door ___________ (A– frame, B – handle, C – way)
- Prevent a heart _________ by eating properly and getting enough exercise. (A – stroke, B –attack, C – murmur)
- Do you prefer peppermint or cinnamon flavored _____________? (A– cookies, B – toothpaste, C – applesauce)
- The full ___________ looked enormous as it rose over the horizon. (A – moon, B – sun, C –sunset)
- I’m going to the barber for a _____________. (A – trim, B – new style, C – haircut)
- They’re digging a new swimming ____________ in the park. (A – suit, B – pool, C – game)
- I’d love to learn to pilot an ____________(A–boat, B – airplane, C – submarine)
- One reason donuts are fattening is that they’re fried in cooking _____. (A – oil, B – sugar, C –pans)
- Sherrie is upset because she lost an ______________. (A – input, B – earring, C – friendship)
- We put a ____________ in the garden to chase birds away.(A – runway, B – sunshade, C –scarecrow)
- 15.I’ve got to pick up a package at the post ___________. (A – man, B – office, C – book)
Answer Key: 1 – C, 2 – A, 3 – B, 4 – A, 5 – C
Fill in the blanks to complete each compound noun, or with the one-word compound noun that fits best.
Answer Key: 6 – B, 7 – B, 8 – A, 9 – C, 10 – B, 11 – B, 12 – A, 13 – B, 14 – C, 15 – B
Nouns can be classified into various types. While noun as a single concept is very simple, its classifications require a little more attention.
Common nouns, concrete nouns, compounds nouns, etc., are all different types of nouns. Today we will discuss compound nouns. Compound nouns can be a little tricky if some rules are not followed.
Compound nouns are basically the combination of two words. It is an easy concept, but some points need to be kept in mind.
What is a compound noun?
A compound noun is a noun formed by joining two or more words together. It is a combination of words that refers to a person, thing, or place.
In a compound noun, the first word basically describes the second word. It describes the purpose or type of the second word and the second word is usually the identification of the first word. It tries to tell what or who is the first word.
Let us understand with some examples;
- Lighthouse
- Firehouse
- Honeybee
Here, we can see that the first word is the description or modification of the second word and the second word basically tells what is being named.
Different types of a compound noun
Compound nouns are two words joined together. However, they can be formed in usually three different ways.
Let us understand with basic examples;
First is a closed-form compound noun. Here, the compound nouns are joined together normally.
- I am visiting the lighthouse today.
- There is a housefly in the car.
Some compound nouns can be a word in a hyphenated form. They are presented with hyphens.
- My mother-in-law is at home.
And the third form is where the words are presented as two individual words, but they are a single entity.
- I think he is visiting the post office today.
Formation of compound nouns
There are several ways of forming a compound noun. Any part of speech can act as a term to make a compound noun. Let us discuss them in detail;
A compound noun can be formed by joining two nouns together.
For example;
- wallpaper
- birdcage
- honeymoon
- lighthouse
A noun and an adjective
For example;
- Wireless
- handful
- headless
An adjective and a noun
For example;
- pink panther
- redhead
- full moon
A preposition and a noun
For example;
- past lives
- afterlife
- underworld
A noun and a preposition or a prepositional phrase
For example;
- passer-by
- Father-in-law
A verb and a noun
For example;
- washing machine
- swimming pool
- dressing room
- waiting room
A noun and a verb
For example;
- photoshoot
- sunrise
- haircut
- hairstyle
An adjective and an adjective
For example;
- pinkish-yellow
- reddish-brown
These are the major ways of forming a compound noun. However, there can be more, such as preposition+verb, Verb+preposition, etc. As mentioned earlier, it can be any part of speech.
So we see compound nouns can be wide. Compound nouns also depend on the context they are being used in.
They are not just any combination of words. One has to be careful while using a compound noun to avoid any errors.
Last night, I took my roommate to a drive-in to see the latest blockbuster. It was a fun night, but it was also an example of an event that can be described with nouns. Not just any nouns, though. We use many different types of nouns to refer to people we love, places we take them, and things we enjoy together, but my story uses a couple examples of one particular type of noun: the compound noun.
What is a compound noun?
In grammar, a compound refers to a word that is made up of two or more existing parts or elements. Adjectives, verbs, prepositions, and nouns can all be described as compounds.
As compounds, they are made of two or more existing words combined into one, such as housetop (noun), many-sided (adjective), playact (verb), or upon (preposition).
A compound noun, in simplified terms, is a noun made up of two or more existing words. They are extremely common in English. The word snowstorm is an example of a simple type of compound noun formed from the words snow and storm. Compound nouns aren’t just formed from nouns but other types of words as well, such as verbs, adjectives, and prepositions. You can see this in words like runoff, takedown, and shortcake.
One main thing to keep in mind about compound nouns is that they have a meaning that is distinct from their component parts. For example, a blackboard is an object that a teacher writes on with chalk while a “black board” is any black piece of wood.
How many nouns does it take to be a noun expert? Make sure you count countable nouns in! Learn more about countable nouns here.
Compound noun examples
In English, there are three main ways that we form compound nouns. As is often the case in English, there is no single rule that states which of these methods is correct when it comes to forming specific compound nouns. You will either need to memorize compound nouns as you come across them or use our fantastic dictionary to see which form (or forms) should be used.
Compound nouns as a single word
This type of compound noun is formed by combining two words (from different parts of speech) together into a single word. Here are examples of compound nouns formed from pairs of different types of words:
- Noun + noun: lunchtime, boyfriend, milkman, firefighter, hatrack, heartache
- Verb + noun: jailbreak, haircut, runtime, turntable, sweatshirt, buzzkill
- Adjective + noun: smartphone, bluebird, redhead, greenhouse
- Preposition + noun: downtown, bystander, underworld, overtime
- Verb + preposition: breakdown, offshoot, downturn, input, uproar
Compound nouns as separate words
This type of compound noun is formed by using two separate words together that are acting together, grammatically, as a single unit. This type of compound noun is different from a noun phrase because one word isn’t acting as a modifier of another. You need to be careful with this type of compound noun as they may look identical to an instance of two separate words that aren’t being used as a compound noun. For example, the compound noun hot dog refers to a food while the separate words “hot dog” refers to a hairy animal that is very warm (and a good boy).
- Noun + noun: house party, grandfather clock, sweater vest, Christmas tree
- Verb + noun: flash flood, grab bag, jump cut, slam dunk, shock jock
- Adjective + noun: quick fix, easy money, slow burn, double agent, close call
Compound nouns with hyphens
This type of compound noun is often confused with the other two types. Using hyphens to form compound nouns is particularly common in newer or rarely used words. If a compound noun is formed from more than two words, it will almost always use hyphens.
- know-it-all, mother-in-law, show-off, court-martial, jack-in-the-box, jack-of-all-trades, Johnny-come-lately, city-state, hocus-pocus, merry-go-round
Plural forms of compound nouns
Until now, we have only looked at singular nouns. However, there are different rules about how to make compound nouns into plural nouns depending on which of the three types you are dealing with.
Plural of single-word compound nouns
Of the three, this type of compound noun is the most likely to follow the rules of plural nouns. You can take a look at our article on plural nouns if you need a refresher, but the usual method is to add -s or -es to the end of the compound noun. For example, chalkboard becomes chalkboards and eyelash becomes eyelashes.
Plural of multiple-word compound nouns
This type of compound noun gets more complicated. Sometimes, these words stick to the rules, and all you need to do is make the last word plural as in wedding planners or soft drinks. However, things can get more complicated. For example, the plural of attorney general is attorneys general. The reason is that the word attorney is acting as the main word and general is specifying what job the attorney has. In this case, it makes more sense to turn attorney into a plural when referring to more than one attorney general. Keep this in mind as we look at our last type of compound noun.
Plural of compound nouns with hyphens
Once again, things get complicated. Sometimes, hyphenated compound nouns follow the rules and get an -s or -es added onto the last word as in jack-in-the-boxes or fixer-uppers. Other times, though, hyphenated compound nouns don’t follow the pattern as in sisters-in-law or runners-up. As was the case in multiple-word compound nouns, these words turn the main word rather than the final word into a plural.
List of compound nouns
Let’s look at more examples of compound nouns. As you read each of these nouns, think about what words were used to form them and how the meanings of these nouns differ from the words used to make them.
- artwork, basketball, card shark, double dip, earmark, fast track, gold rush, half-and-half, icebreaker, junk mail, kangaroo court, ladybug, mother-of-pearl, night-light, odd-job, post office, queen bee, riverbank, small fry, think tank, upperclassmen, victory lap, whiz kid, yardstick, zookeeper
The difference between compound & collective nouns
Up until now, we have looked at many different examples of compound nouns. Compound nouns are formed by combining multiple words together to make a single noun. Another type of noun also brings several things together to form a single noun. A collective noun is a noun that collectively refers to multiple people or objects as a single entity. The words army, gang, pile, stack, group, and bunch are all examples of collective nouns. Unlike compound nouns, collective nouns don’t need to be formed from multiple words.
For the most part, both compound nouns and collective nouns follow the rules that all other nouns follow. Both can be singular nouns or plural nouns. Both can be concrete nouns or abstract nouns. Both can be possessive nouns.
Try another noun on for size, and see what you know about proper nouns.
Although rare, it is possible for a noun to be both a compound noun and a collective noun. For example, the word homeroom is a compound noun formed from the words home and room. At the same time, homeroom can be used as a collective noun to refer to a group of students.
Take a look at some example sentences. Read each sentence and see if you can understand what makes each given noun a compound noun, a collective noun, or both.
- I can’t handle the heartbreak of losing a pet.
- Our team won the championship.
- Two of my friends are members of the glee club.
- The goblin kingdom crumbled due to a civil war.
- The cruel billionaire looked down on the lower class.
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Answer: 1. Compound 2. Collective 3. Both compound and collective noun 4. Compound 5. Both compound and collective noun
Compound nouns and words are essential parts of any English speaker’s toolbox. The sentence you just read even contains an example of one (hint: the last word). However, we often take compound nouns for granted because they are so commonplace (I did it again!). So, what are compound nouns and why do we need them? Moreover, if they’re so common, what are some examples of compound nouns? Finally, are these terms meant to be used as a single word, separate words, or two words connected by a hyphen?
We will answer all of these questions and more, but first, let’s provide a proper definition of the term:
Compound Noun Definition
A compound noun is a noun that is made up of two words that, if separated, could stand on their own. When two distinct words are combined to form a noun, they take on a new meaning that may or may not be related to either of the original words. For example, “ice cream” is a compound noun. Both words — ice (frozen water) and cream (a dairy product made from skimming fat from the top of milk) — have their own distinct definitions, but when combined, they turn into a delicious, frozen treat! As a result, compound nouns are an essential part of the English language.
It’s also important to note that compound words are not specific to nouns. There are also compound verbs — like “ask for” and “kickstart” — as well as compound adjectives like “good-looking” and “old-fashioned.” There are even compound adverbs, like “therefore” and “very well.”
However, you can’t just put any combination of words together to form a compound word. There’s no such thing as a “class flush” or “lobster banana.” That said, there are literally thousands of examples of compound words throughout the English language!
Compound Nouns List
It would be impossible to list all of the compound nouns that exist in this article. However, we can list some common and useful examples to help you expand your vocabulary! So, here are some examples of compound nouns organized by category:
Common Nouns
As you can imagine, common compound nouns are frequently used to refer to different people, places, and things. When referring to human beings, these terms often categorize a person or people by occupation, family member status, or more general groups. Here are a few examples:
Person
- Businessperson
- Flight attendant
- Firefighter
- Brother-in-law
- Everyone
- Everybody
Place
- Everywhere
- Nowhere
- Anywhere
- Seashore
- Cornfield
- Bus stop
Thing
- Armchair
- Cupboard
- Skateboard
- Football
- Sunglasses
- Homework
Proper Nouns
Classifying proper nouns as compound nouns is a little tricky, as each word or word-part may not have a definition of its own. For example, “Ben Affleck” is a compound noun, as it combines a first name (Ben) with a last name (Affleck) to form a full name that many people will recognize as the famous actor. However, names usually don’t have inherent meanings, other than just being names. In any case, combining two names for people, places, or things results in a compound proper noun.
Person
- William Shakespeare
- Barack Obama
- Nelson Mandela
- Cristiano Ronaldo
- Abraham Lincoln
- Oprah Winfrey
Place
- Florida Keys
- Eiffel Tower
- New York
- Atlantic City
- United States
- New Zealand
Thing
- Berlin Wall
- Burger King
- Roman Catholic
- Coca-Cola
- Labor Day
- Sunday
Abstract Nouns
Finally, there are hundreds of abstract compound nouns in English. These are compound words that you cannot observe with your five senses (touch, taste, smell, sight, or sound). Here are a few examples:
- Lifespan
- Self-confidence
- Common sense
- Birthday
- Freelance
- Run-in
One word, two words, or hyphenated — which is correct?
Thus far, you’ve probably noticed that compound nouns come in three different forms. Sometimes compounds are two words combined to make one noun (closed compounds). Other times they are two words that remain separated by a space but still work together to create a noun (open compounds). Finally, you can have two words connected by a hyphen to form a new term (hyphenated compounds). So, which is the correct way of writing a compound noun?
The truth is that they are all correct — depending on the words and the context. Let’s look at a few principles that should help you know when to hyphenate compound nouns, when to use two words separated by a space, and when to use just one word:
- Most compound proper nouns are formed by two words separated by a space, though there are exceptions (Sunday, Thanksgiving, etc).
- If a compound begins with “self,” you almost always use a hyphen (self-reliance, self-defeat, etc).
- Using a hyphen between an adjective and a noun can change the term from a compound noun to a compound adjective.
General Rules for Compound Nouns
To help you further, let’s look at the general rules for different parts of speech combinations:
| First Word | Second Word | Type of Compound Noun | Examples |
| Noun | Noun | Closed or Open | lifeguard, travel agent, moonlight |
| Adjective | Noun | Closed or Open | empty space, greenhouse, low tide |
| Preposition | Noun | Closed | overbite, insignificance, bystander |
| Verb | Noun | Closed or Open | washing machine, breakfast, passport |
| Noun | Verb | Closed | butterfly, windfall, haircut |
| Verb | Preposition | Hyphenated | check-in, build-up, follow-up |
| Adjective | Verb | Hyphenated | dry-cleaning, well-being, merry-go-round |
| Preposition | Verb | Closed | output, input, overdraft |
As you can see from the table above, many of the most common compounds can be opened or closed. This means you’ll simply have to memorize the correct form for each word. However, when prepositions or verbs are involved, things get a little easier. For example, when an -ing verb precedes a noun, the resulting compound word is almost always open. When a preposition follows a verb or a verb follows an adjective, you almost always create hyphenated compound nouns. Finally, if a verb follows a preposition, the resulting compound will usually be closed.
It’s also important to remember that many common compound nouns can be either open or closed. Even with combinations that are almost always closed, open, or hyphenated (as indicated in the table above), you’re bound to find a few exceptions. Since the rules are not always clear, many people choose which form they wish to use and just stick with it. For example, some people write “seat belt” (open compound), while others write “seatbelt” (closed compound). Though most dictionaries use the open compound, the closed version is widely accepted. This holds true for many other compounds as well.
Examples of Compound Nouns in Sentences
Now that you know some different compound nouns, it’s time to learn how to use them! Here are a few examples using all of the different parts of speech combinations:
Noun + Noun
- I asked the waiter to put some ice cubes in my drink.
- Everybody has to wear their seat belt in my car.
- The neighborhood gets bigger and bigger every year.
Adjective + Noun
- He says that real estate is a stable investment.
- You should take the highway; it’s much faster.
- I want my hot dog with extra mustard.
Preposition + Noun
- My son needed braces to correct his underbite.
- I’m starting to make inroads with my boss.
- His indetermination held the entire team back.
Verb + Noun
- The family gathered in the living room to watch television.
- The models started walking down the runway to thunderous applause.
- We believe the president has the staying power to make it through the next election.
Noun + Verb
- The rainfall was heavy that day.
- I needed to use eardrops to cure my dog’s ear infection.
- The acrobat did ten backflips in a row!
Verb + Preposition
- The sit-in helped draw attention to the issue of civil rights.
- I got good news from the follow-up with my doctor.
- The gang members did a drive-by before leaving the scene of the crime.
Adjective + Verb
- Her well-wishes didn’t feel genuine.
- He was supposed to pick up his dry-cleaning yesterday, but he forgot.
- His well-being was my top priority.
Preposition + Verb
- They provided an overview of the new plan.
- Buying a house is a huge undertaking.
- The generator’s output was too low to keep the power on.
Conclusion
Compound nouns are just two words that work to form a new word or phrase. At first glance, they are pretty easy to understand. However, they can get complicated when you’re writing them down, as you’ll have to figure out whether to use open, closed, or hyphenated compounds. Fortunately, the rules are relatively lax (especially in informal writing), so don’t be afraid to make a mistake! Over time, you’ll learn the correct ways to write hundreds of different compound nouns in English!
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