LoginCompound Adjectives
Discover the rules for using compound adjectives like 'state-of-the-art' and 'free-spirited'. Detailed explanations and a quiz to test your knowledge.
What Are Compound Adjectives?
Compound adjectives are made up of multiple words that are used together as a single adjective. The words are commonly connected by a hyphen when used as adjectives.
Compound Adjectives: Function
Like other adjectives, compound adjectives are used to modify nouns and pronouns, and they often appear directly before the word they modify or after a linking verb. Have a look:
Before the Noun (Attributive Position): Compound adjectives placed before the noun modify the noun directly and provide additional information about it. For example:
She used old-fashioned dresses to represent the style of the eighteenth century.
After Linking Verbs (Predicative Position): Compound adjectives placed after a linking verb (e.g., 'be,' 'become,' 'seem') function as predicative adjectives, describing the subject of the sentence. For example:
They were hard-working.
Compound Adjectives: Structure
Compound adjectives can be formed through different possible combinations of elements, some of the most common ones are:
Noun + Adjective
Adjective + Adjective
Adjective + Noun
Adverb + Adjective
Preposition + Noun
Noun + Adjective
Sometimes, if you add a noun to an adjective, a new word is created that can be used as a compound adjective to modify another noun. In this case, the compound adjective is usually hyphenated. For example:
The water is ice-cold.
She had sky-blue eyes.
I felt awfully seasick.
The food was really mouth-watering.
Noun + present participle (adjective).
His behavior was self-effacing.
When there is a combination of a noun and a present participle (adjective), the compound adjective is always hyphenated.
Sun-dried tomatoes have an intense sweet-tart flavor.
Noun + past participle (adjective).
She's a homegrown pop artist.
Noun + past participle (adjective).
Tip!
Some widely accepted compound adjectives are written as single words without hyphens or spaces. These are called closed compound adjectives. Here is an example:
I was homesick for France.
As you can see, the lack of a hyphen indicates that the two parts of the compound adjective have fused together, forming a single word.
Adjective + Adjective
These compound adjectives are formed by combining two adjectives, where the two are coordinated or one modifies the meaning of the other. They work together to provide more specific information about the noun they modify and they are typically hyphenated. Here are a few examples:
The chicken is double-baked.
the first adjective (double) modifies the second (baked)
The high-pitched whistle hurt my ears.
The ill-tempered cat hissed at everyone who came near.
He represented a deaf-mute client in court.
two adjectives coordinated
Adjective + Noun
This type of compound adjective is created when an adjective and a noun are joined together to describe a noun. These compound adjectives are usually hyphenated. Here are some examples:
I bought a low-fat yogurt.
Many blue-collar workers in the factory have been with the company for years.
He made a last-minute decision to join the trip.
Adverb + Adjective
These compound adjectives are formed by adding an adverb to a past participle (adjective) to describe a noun in a more detailed way. These compound adjectives are typically hyphenated. Have a look:
She comes from a well-educated family.
Tokyo is one of the most densely-populated cities in the world.
The actor is so well-known that he gets recognized wherever he goes.
The essay is well-written.
Tip!
Sometimes, when an adverb ending in '-ly' and an adjective form the predicate of a linking verb, the two words are separated by a space and do not form a compound adjective; rather, they form an adjective phrase. However, if the same combination is used attributively, it creates a single compound adjective and must be hyphenated. Compare the examples:
The professor is highly respected.
The adverb "highly" modifies the adjective "respected," forming and adjective phrase.
The highly-respected professor is going to teach the class this semester.
When used attributively, the two words are hyphenated and act a compound adjective.
Preposition + Noun
Some compound adjectives are made from a preposition plus a noun. Take a look:
The product's price tag does not include after-tax costs.
The in-service training program provided valuable skills for the employees.
Tip!
Most compound adjectives consist of two words; however, they can consist of more:
Some over-the-counter drugs relieve aches, pains, and itches.
As you can see, 'the' is a definite article used to specify a particular counter, and "counter" refers to a physical or figurative surface or location where transactions or interactions take place.
The state-of-the-art design of the product impressed the clients.
Punctuation Rules
Compound adjectives are mostly hyphenated. The use of hyphens in compound adjectives can be a source of confusion in English writing. Here are some guidelines to help you understand when to hyphenate compound adjectives:
Adjective-Noun Combinations: Compound adjectives formed by combining an adjective and a noun are often hyphenated. For example:
high-tech gadgets
low-income families
Adjective-Adjective Combinations: When two adjectives are used together to modify a noun, they are typically hyphenated. For example:
blue-eyed girl
bitter-sweet memory
Time and Age Expressions: Compound adjectives involving time or age expressions are usually hyphenated. For example:
ten-minute break
two-storey building
Some Noun-Adjective compounds are used as closed compounds, without a hyphen or space. These have acquired the status of an independent, fixed word, unlike most other compound adjectives which are more flexible and allow replacement of an element with another word.
heartfelt apology
lifelong friends
Review
Compound adjectives are formed from two or more words but act as a single adjective that can come before a noun or after a linking verb to describe a noun. Compound adjectives can be formed from a variety of combinations:
Noun + Adjective
Adjective + Adjective
Adjective + Noun
Adverb + Adjective
Preposition + Noun
The solution is time-consuming.
noun + adjective
She wore a light-blue dress.
adjective + adjective
He decided to make a high-risk investment
adjective + noun
He has become a much-loved teacher
adverb + adjective
The went on an adventure with an off-road truck.
preposition + noun
Quiz:
Which of the following sentences uses a compound adjective in the predicative position?
We met a high-profile investor at the event.
His comments were thought-provoking.
She made a last-minute decision.
It was a red-colored painting.
Sort the words to form a correct sentence.
Match each compound adjective structure with its correct example.
Choose the category each compound adjective belongs to. (There are two extra option.)
| Preposition + Noun | Adverb + Adjective | Adjective + Noun |
|---|---|---|
Which of the following sentences uses a compound adjective with correct punctuation?
The author is widely-known in literary circles.
The widely-known author received an international award.
The author is widelyknown in literary circles.
The widely known author received an international award.
Comments
(0)
Recommended
