Noun Modifiers 

Dive deep into noun modifiers with detailed explanations. Examples include 'book cover' and 'sports car', plus a quiz to test your knowledge.

"Noun Modifiers" in the English Grammar

What Are Noun Modifiers?

Noun modifiers (also known as noun adjuncts, attributive nouns, qualifying nouns, or appositive nouns), are nouns that are used to modify another noun. Modifiers provide additional information about their following noun.

Why Do We Use a Noun Modifier?

Noun modifiers are used attributively, meaning they are placed before the noun they modify in order to provide additional information about it. For example:

Example

an insurance company, a sales office, a production line, a battle ground

Noun modifiers can help create concise phrases. They are often used to provide a brief and precise description for a noun. Check out some examples:

Example

I want a kind of soup that has chicken in it. → I want chicken soup.

I'm looking for a piece of ground to park the car. → I'm looking for a car park.

Modifiers: Singular or Plural?

In most cases, the noun used as a modifier is singular. Take a look at some examples:

Example

I love mushroom soup, but she's making chicken soup.

I'll meet you outside the railway station.

Plural-Only Nouns as Modifiers

Some nouns, such as 'pants,' 'shorts,' 'trousers,' etc. are normally only used in the plural form. However, when used as a modifier for another noun, they are used in singular form. Check out the examples:

Example

I use trouser press instead of iron.

Her shoe size is 36.

However, this is not always possible. In some cases, the noun must remain in its plural form even when used as a modifier.

Example

clothes closet

arms dealer

An "arm dealer" would have a different meaning.

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Noun Modifiers: Uses

Indicating A Part-Whole Relationship

Noun modifiers are commonly used to indicate that one thing is a part of or belongs to something else. Look at the examples:

Example

the coat pocket

the chair leg

the bedroom floor

the car door

Tip

Another way to indicate that something is a part of a whole is to use the preposition 'of' to create a noun phrase. However, this is less common than using noun modifiers. For example:

Example

the car door = the door of the car

Indication of material

Noun modifiers can be used to indicate the material or the constituent parts of their following noun. For example:

Example

a silver necklace

a cotton shirt

a wool skirt

a diamond earring

a brick wall

Tip

Another way of indicating the material of something is using the preposition 'of.' For example:

Example

paper bag = bag of paper

Indicating Purpose

Noun modifiers can be used to indicate the function or purpose of a noun. In this case, the modifier describes the function and the head noun represents the object being described. Check out the examples:

Example

I'll buy new tennis shoes this month.

Here, the 'shoes' (object) are used to play 'tennis' (function).

I like to work in a book store.

In this example, the 'store' is used to sell 'books.'

Tip

Another way of indicating the function of something is using the preposition for. Take a look:

Example

tennis shoes = shoes for tennis

Indicating Measurements

Noun modifiers can also be used to indicate the age, length or other measurements of the head noun. In this case, a hyphen is often inserted between the parts of the noun modifier (the number and the unit of measurement) to indicate that they are being used together as a single phrase. Pay attention to the example:

Example

The boss had a two-hour meeting this morning.

Let's take a five-minute break, guys!

My sister has a three-year-old cat.

Compound Noun Modifiers

Sometimes a compound noun modifies another noun and is used as the noun modifier for another noun.

Example

The science fiction writer won an award for her groundbreaking novel.

The coffee shop owner renovated the interior.

Noun Modifier vs. Open Compound Noun

The line between an open compound noun and a combination of a noun modifier and noun can become confusing in some cases.

Example

Paper bag → Bag made of paper (not a fixed term; plastic bag is equally valid and is still a bag).

Chocolate cake → Cake made with chocolate (could also say vanilla cake which is also a cake).

Post office → A fixed term, "post" cannot be replaced by another word without a complete change in meaning

Real estate → The business of property (not estate that is real).

Review

'Noun modifiers' are nouns that are used to qualify another noun, describe it, and make a shorter phrase. They are mostly used to describe:

part of something

material

function

measurement

Quiz:


1.

Which phrase correctly uses a plural-only noun as a noun modifier?

A

jeans pocket

B

trouser press

C

cloth closet

D

shorts sleeve

2.

Match each sentence to the function of the noun modifier it contains.

I bought a two-liter bottle of soda.
We admired the marble statue in the museum.
He placed his phone in the jacket pocket.
She volunteers at an animal shelter.
Indicating purpose
Indicating measurement
Indicating the material
Indicating a part-whole relationship
3.

Choose true or False for each statement.

Noun modifiers give additional information about the noun they come before.

Most noun modifiers are used in singular form.

Noun modifiers always describe the material of the main noun.

The phrase "car door" means the same as "door of the car."

False
True
4.

Which of the following sentences correctly uses a compound noun modifier?

A

He placed the book on the wooden shelf.

B

They adopted a two-year-old puppy.

C

The ice cream truck arrived at noon.

D

She read a book about ancient history.

5.

Select all options that include a noun modifier + noun combination. (Select five.)

Metal spoon

Post office

Blackboard

Book store

Car door

Ice cream

Real estate

Tomato soup

Swim suit

Water bottle

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