Welcome to this tutorial today we're going to talk about material and compound nouns.
Let's get started.
Remember that a noun is a word that is used to refer to people places things events substances and qualities.
Now have a look at the example over here the dinner was amazing.
Today in the sentence the dinner is a noun and it is used to refer to a thing now.
Material nouns denote material or substance from which things are made.
It's in the examples below a plastic bottle a diamond ring etc..
Note that the word plastic is a material noun and it is used to describe what the bottle is made of.
The same thing with the word Diamond.
It is used to describe what the ring is made of now.
Material nouns are uncountable does they do not have a plural form generally.
Articles are not used with material nouns as they are uncountable.
Have a look at the examples below.
I really want to buy these cottons pens.
Now this sentence would be incorrect because the material noun cotton should not be used in its plural
form.
The correct sentence would be.
I really want to buy these cotton pens.
Remember the material nouns fall into several categories.
A related to nature for example air water salt coal silver gold etc. be related to animals meat milk
egg wool etc.
C related to plants cotton coffee tea wood etc. These artificial or manmade materials such as alcohol
cheese brick steel etc
now a compound noun contains two or more words which are joined together and form a single noun.
Remember that compound nouns can be words written together words that are hyphenated or separate words.
The first word usually describes or modifies the second word denoting its type or purpose.
Consequently the second word identifies the item itself.
Have a look at the example below.
I need to buy a new toothbrush
toothbrush is a compound noun written together and the first word use describes or modifies the purpose
or type of the second word which is brush and so toothbrush is a brush used for cleaning once teeth.
Now there is no exact rule as to when we should write compound nouns together hyphenated or a separate
words.
Remember that if you are not sure how to write a compound noun consult a dictionary.
Have a look at the examples below.
Could you go with me to the bus stop the compound noun bus stop.
In this sentence is written as separate words and in this sentence My in-laws are incredible people
hyphenated.
I love your new haircut.
You look fantastic haircut is a compound word written together.
Note the distress usually falls on the first syllable in compound nouns as a result.
The word stress helps to differentiate between a compound noun and an adjective plus noun.
Have a look at the examples below.
A greenhouse is a glass building used for growing plants that need warmth light and protection.
In this sentence the word greenhouse is a compound noun and in this sentence a greenhouse is a building.
If someone lives in this building it's painted green in the sentence.
The words green house is an adjective plus noun.