LoginNoun Modifiers
Dive deep into noun modifiers with detailed explanations. Examples include 'book cover' and 'sports car', plus a quiz to test your knowledge.
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:
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:
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:
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:
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.
clothes closet
arms dealer
An "arm dealer" would have a different meaning.
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:
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:
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:
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:
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:
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:
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:
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.
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.
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:
Which phrase correctly uses a plural-only noun as a noun modifier?
jeans pocket
trouser press
cloth closet
shorts sleeve
Match each sentence to the function of the noun modifier it contains.
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." |
Which of the following sentences correctly uses a compound noun modifier?
He placed the book on the wooden shelf.
They adopted a two-year-old puppy.
The ice cream truck arrived at noon.
She read a book about ancient history.
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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