Compound Adjectives
What they are and how to make some!
The Compound
A compound is a word or word group that consists of two or more parts that work together as a unit to express a specific concept. Examples are double-check, cost-effective, around-the-clock, hand-to-hand, forward-thinking, eyeliner, and iced tea. They might also be formed from prefixes or suffixes, as in ex-president, supermicro, presorted, shirtless, or unforgivable.
What kind of words can you identify in the examples?
style
Basically, compounds are written in one of three ways: solid (teapot), hyphenated (player-manager), or open (which ranges from phrases such as off and on or little by little to combinations like washing machine—have a field day finding more). Because of the variety in formation, the choice among the styles for a given compound represents one of the most vexing of all style issues writers—and lexicographers—encounter.
Style
teapot
WASHING MACHINE
Why is teapot solid and washing machine open?
style
For some terms, it is often acceptable to choose freely among open, hyphenated, and solid alternatives, even though the term has been used in English for an extended period (for instance, lifestyle, life–style, or life style).
style
Although the styling that ultimately takes hold for a compound may be determined by nothing more than editorial and writerly preference, there are patterns of new compounds as they become established in the English language.
Compound nouns are usually written as one word.
Compound verbs are generally written as two.
Compound adjectives are often written with a hyphen.
Compound Adjectives AreUnit Modifiers
Compound adjectives are combinations of words that work together to modify a noun—technically, they work as unit modifiers. As unit modifiers, they are distinguished from other strings of adjectives that may also precede a noun.
Compound Adjectives AreUnit Modifiers
For instance, in the constructions "a low, level tract of land" or "that long, lonesome highway," the two adjectives each modify the noun separately. We are talking about a tract of land that is both low and level and about a highway that is both long and lonesome. These are regarded as coordinate modifiers.
long, lonesome highway
Compound Adjectives AreUnit Modifiers
In the examples "a low monthly fee" and "a wrinkled red shirt," the first adjective modifies the noun plus the second adjective. In other words, we mean that the monthly fee is low and the red shirt is wrinkled. These are noncoordinate modifiers.
low monthly fee
Compound Adjectives AreUnit Modifiers
In the example "low-level radiation," we do not mean radiation that is low and level or level radiation that is low; we mean radiation that is at a low level. Both words are working as a unit to modify the noun—thus, they are unit modifiers.
low-level radiation
Compound Adjectives AreUnit Modifiers
Compound adjectives are not exclusively limited to two adjectives spliced together with a hyphen. Numbers, nouns, adjectives, adverbs, and participles can also be connected with a hyphen, in nearly infinite ways, to create a variety of creative compound adjectives that work together to modify the noun.
Types of compound adjectives
This construction tends to name an aspect of the "main noun" using the past participle [i.e. mind (minded), fashion (fashioned), hair (haired), or will (willed) etc.] and then adds an adjective to describe the aspect [i.e. open-minded, high-fashioned, red-haired, weak-willed etc.].
Types of compound adjectives
The past participle seems to be a way to describe something using a verb, almost as if it were passive voice. For example, the opinion is respected. How is it respected? Highly! You should read this highly respected book. Note: Do not hyphenate an adverb-participle combination if the adverb ends in 'ly.'
Types of compound adjectives
Again, the past participle seems to be a way to describe something using a verb. However, in this case, the addition of the noun tells us who or what carried out the action that describes the "main noun." The tomatoes are dried. By what? The sun. I recommend you try these sun-dried tomatoes.
Types of compound adjectives
This construction tends to name an action that the "main noun" does (using the present participle of a transitive verb). Then it names the noun the receives the action of that verb. He's an athlete that breaks. What does he break? Records, of course! He's a record-breaking athlete.
Types of compound adjectives
This construction is similar to the previous construction. Again, the present participle names an action that the "main noun" does. The addition of an adjective describes how the action is done. It's a medication that lasts. How does it last? A long time! It's a long-lasting medication.
Types of compound adjectives
As in the previous two constructions, again, the present participle names an action that the "main noun" does. The addition of an adverb describes the action. The trip tires you, extremely! It's an extremely tiring trip. Note: Again, do not hyphenate an adverb-participle combination if the adverb ends in 'ly.'
Types of compound adjectives
In this construction, there is an adjective that describes the "main noun." A noun is then added to give additional information about the adjective. It's famous all around the world. It's a world-famous song. It's as cold as ice. It's an ice-cold beer.
Types of compound adjectives
This construction tends to use the addition of a second noun to name an aspect of the "main noun." For example, we're talking about a dress (the main noun), but, more specifically, its length (the noun in the compound adjective). Then, an adjective is added to describe that additional noun (i.e. full-length). It's a full-length dress. In fact, the train drags on the floor.
Types of compound adjectives
Is "part" really a noun in this case?
Types of compound adjectives
hyphen use
To hyphenate, or not to hyphenate—that is the question!
hyphen use
Generally, compound adjectives are hyphenated, unless the first word is an adverb ending in 'ly.'
pan-fried steak
largely irrelevant speech
hyphen use
However, when the compound comes after the noun it refers to, you should leave the hyphen out.
These mangoes are high quality.
The book was thought provoking.
hyphen use
I saw a man eating alligator.
What image does this sentence conjure?
hyphen use
I saw a man eating alligator.
What image does this sentence conjure?
hyphen use
I saw a man-eating alligator.
What image does this sentence conjure?
hyphen use
I saw a man-eating alligator.
What image does this sentence conjure?
hyphen use
She drove a yellow-striped car.
She drove a yellow, striped car.
Match the sentence to an image!
Let's Go Crazy!
We live in one of the most densely populated, highest-taxed, and most ethnically diverse states in the country.
Let's Go Crazy!
Kyra gave me one of her patented I’m-going-to-pay-you-back-later glares.
Let's Go Crazy!
He skittered away, his too-big-for-a-clown shoes flapping against the concrete.
In use
Can you think of or create some compound adjectives to help market this product?
In use
Can you think of or create some compound adjectives to help describe this person?
In use
Can you think of or create some compound adjectives to help describe this event?
fun examples
straight-facedtight-fisted open-handed well-appointed whole-hearted self-effacing run-down broken-down sought-after tightly wound
accident-pronebadly-off even-handed full-fledged half-hearted hard-nosed high-flying high-handed long-faced one-off
Compound Adjectives
david_westland
Created on November 30, 2022
A detailed look at compound adjectives, including some activities and a list of advanced examples.
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Transcript
Compound Adjectives
What they are and how to make some!
The Compound
A compound is a word or word group that consists of two or more parts that work together as a unit to express a specific concept. Examples are double-check, cost-effective, around-the-clock, hand-to-hand, forward-thinking, eyeliner, and iced tea. They might also be formed from prefixes or suffixes, as in ex-president, supermicro, presorted, shirtless, or unforgivable.
What kind of words can you identify in the examples?
style
Basically, compounds are written in one of three ways: solid (teapot), hyphenated (player-manager), or open (which ranges from phrases such as off and on or little by little to combinations like washing machine—have a field day finding more). Because of the variety in formation, the choice among the styles for a given compound represents one of the most vexing of all style issues writers—and lexicographers—encounter.
Style
teapot
WASHING MACHINE
Why is teapot solid and washing machine open?
style
For some terms, it is often acceptable to choose freely among open, hyphenated, and solid alternatives, even though the term has been used in English for an extended period (for instance, lifestyle, life–style, or life style).
style
Although the styling that ultimately takes hold for a compound may be determined by nothing more than editorial and writerly preference, there are patterns of new compounds as they become established in the English language.
Compound nouns are usually written as one word.
Compound verbs are generally written as two.
Compound adjectives are often written with a hyphen.
Compound Adjectives AreUnit Modifiers
Compound adjectives are combinations of words that work together to modify a noun—technically, they work as unit modifiers. As unit modifiers, they are distinguished from other strings of adjectives that may also precede a noun.
Compound Adjectives AreUnit Modifiers
For instance, in the constructions "a low, level tract of land" or "that long, lonesome highway," the two adjectives each modify the noun separately. We are talking about a tract of land that is both low and level and about a highway that is both long and lonesome. These are regarded as coordinate modifiers.
long, lonesome highway
Compound Adjectives AreUnit Modifiers
In the examples "a low monthly fee" and "a wrinkled red shirt," the first adjective modifies the noun plus the second adjective. In other words, we mean that the monthly fee is low and the red shirt is wrinkled. These are noncoordinate modifiers.
low monthly fee
Compound Adjectives AreUnit Modifiers
In the example "low-level radiation," we do not mean radiation that is low and level or level radiation that is low; we mean radiation that is at a low level. Both words are working as a unit to modify the noun—thus, they are unit modifiers.
low-level radiation
Compound Adjectives AreUnit Modifiers
Compound adjectives are not exclusively limited to two adjectives spliced together with a hyphen. Numbers, nouns, adjectives, adverbs, and participles can also be connected with a hyphen, in nearly infinite ways, to create a variety of creative compound adjectives that work together to modify the noun.
Types of compound adjectives
This construction tends to name an aspect of the "main noun" using the past participle [i.e. mind (minded), fashion (fashioned), hair (haired), or will (willed) etc.] and then adds an adjective to describe the aspect [i.e. open-minded, high-fashioned, red-haired, weak-willed etc.].
Types of compound adjectives
The past participle seems to be a way to describe something using a verb, almost as if it were passive voice. For example, the opinion is respected. How is it respected? Highly! You should read this highly respected book. Note: Do not hyphenate an adverb-participle combination if the adverb ends in 'ly.'
Types of compound adjectives
Again, the past participle seems to be a way to describe something using a verb. However, in this case, the addition of the noun tells us who or what carried out the action that describes the "main noun." The tomatoes are dried. By what? The sun. I recommend you try these sun-dried tomatoes.
Types of compound adjectives
This construction tends to name an action that the "main noun" does (using the present participle of a transitive verb). Then it names the noun the receives the action of that verb. He's an athlete that breaks. What does he break? Records, of course! He's a record-breaking athlete.
Types of compound adjectives
This construction is similar to the previous construction. Again, the present participle names an action that the "main noun" does. The addition of an adjective describes how the action is done. It's a medication that lasts. How does it last? A long time! It's a long-lasting medication.
Types of compound adjectives
As in the previous two constructions, again, the present participle names an action that the "main noun" does. The addition of an adverb describes the action. The trip tires you, extremely! It's an extremely tiring trip. Note: Again, do not hyphenate an adverb-participle combination if the adverb ends in 'ly.'
Types of compound adjectives
In this construction, there is an adjective that describes the "main noun." A noun is then added to give additional information about the adjective. It's famous all around the world. It's a world-famous song. It's as cold as ice. It's an ice-cold beer.
Types of compound adjectives
This construction tends to use the addition of a second noun to name an aspect of the "main noun." For example, we're talking about a dress (the main noun), but, more specifically, its length (the noun in the compound adjective). Then, an adjective is added to describe that additional noun (i.e. full-length). It's a full-length dress. In fact, the train drags on the floor.
Types of compound adjectives
Is "part" really a noun in this case?
Types of compound adjectives
hyphen use
To hyphenate, or not to hyphenate—that is the question!
hyphen use
Generally, compound adjectives are hyphenated, unless the first word is an adverb ending in 'ly.'
pan-fried steak
largely irrelevant speech
hyphen use
However, when the compound comes after the noun it refers to, you should leave the hyphen out.
These mangoes are high quality.
The book was thought provoking.
hyphen use
I saw a man eating alligator.
What image does this sentence conjure?
hyphen use
I saw a man eating alligator.
What image does this sentence conjure?
hyphen use
I saw a man-eating alligator.
What image does this sentence conjure?
hyphen use
I saw a man-eating alligator.
What image does this sentence conjure?
hyphen use
She drove a yellow-striped car.
She drove a yellow, striped car.
Match the sentence to an image!
Let's Go Crazy!
We live in one of the most densely populated, highest-taxed, and most ethnically diverse states in the country.
Let's Go Crazy!
Kyra gave me one of her patented I’m-going-to-pay-you-back-later glares.
Let's Go Crazy!
He skittered away, his too-big-for-a-clown shoes flapping against the concrete.
In use
Can you think of or create some compound adjectives to help market this product?
In use
Can you think of or create some compound adjectives to help describe this person?
In use
Can you think of or create some compound adjectives to help describe this event?
fun examples
straight-facedtight-fisted open-handed well-appointed whole-hearted self-effacing run-down broken-down sought-after tightly wound
accident-pronebadly-off even-handed full-fledged half-hearted hard-nosed high-flying high-handed long-faced one-off