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2
Word formation - Compound words
WORKING ON GRAMMAR
Compound words are often found in technical language.
They can be adjectives, nouns or verbs and are formed by combining various elements.
1
Match the words in the two columns in order to create new words. How many can you make? Put
them in three columns depending on whether they have a hyphen (-), are one word, or are written
as two separate words.
Possible combinations:
Examples
A
adj/adv + past part.
number and noun
number + noun + adj
noun + noun
short-sighted
well-dressed
second-hand
first-rate
eighteen-year-old
300 metres high
bus station
teacup
Compound words can be written
Examples
B
with a hyphen (hyphenated form)
self-control, fire-resistant
television set, machine tool
toothbrush, workshop
separately, as two words (open form)
as one single word (closed form)
There are no strict rules but:
Examples
C
compound adjectives are usually written with a hyphen
compound nouns can be written as two words (without a
hyphen) when the first word has the function of identifying,
describing the specific use made of, the second one,
which does not change its original meaning
compound nouns are usually written as one word when the ‘new
word’ that is formed has its own, new, specific meaning
home-made, well-done, real-time
exercise book, tomato soup, school bag, spring balance,
railway station, rice dish, car wheel, table leg…
postman, ashtray, boyfriend, headache, classmate
seafood, wasteland, necklace…
Hyphen
One word
Two words
evening
school
note
telephone
car
tea
bed
tomato
summer
house
hand
book
bag
classes
room
soup
holiday
park
work
box
plant
bell
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Progetto FOR MECHANICALS_unit_1.indd 25
24/01/