Table of Contents
Introduction
To make your descriptions more precise and expressive, English often uses compound adjectives vocabulary. These unique vocabulary items combine two or more words. It creates nuanced meanings that single adjectives alone might not convey.
In this blog post, we’ll explore the concept of compound adjectives, how they are formed, and the rules governing their usage.
We’ll also provide plenty of examples, distinguish compound adjectives from compound nouns, and offer a quiz to test your understanding.
What are Adjectives?
Adjectives are words that describe or modify nouns and pronouns. They provide more information about an object’s size, shape, age, color, origin, or material, answering questions such as “What kind?” “Which one?” and “How many?” For example, in the phrase “a red apple,” “red” is an adjective describing the noun “apple.”
What are Compound Adjectives?
Compound adjectives are adjectives that consist of two or more words combined to create a single descriptor, often connected by hyphens.
These combinations convey a specific and often nuanced meaning that each word alone may not fully express.
Examples:
- An English-speaking country.
- A time-saving gadget.
- A thirty-floor building.
How are Compound Adjectives Formed?
Compound adjectives can be formed in various ways, each adding a unique touch to the description. Here are the most common formations with examples:
- Adverb-Past Participle / Noun + ed:
- Well-known writer: Well + Known (Past participle of the verb “know”)
- Brightly-lit room: Brightly + lit (Past participle of the verb “light”)
- Deeply-rooted traditions: Deeply + rooted (The noun “root” + ed)
- Well-mannered girl: Well + mannered (The noun “manner” + ed)
- Adjective-Present Participle (verb + ing):
- Good-looking boy: Good + looking (look + ing)
- Free-standing tower: Free + standing (stand + ing)
- Noun-Past Participle:
- Tongue-tied boy: Tongue + tied (Past participle of the verb “tie”)
- Sun-dried fruit: Sun + dried (past participle of the verb “dry”)
- Adjective-Past Participle / Noun + ed:
- Short-sighted man: Good + sighted (the noun “sight” + ed)
- Long-haired lady: long + haired (The noun “hair” + ed)
- Short-lived relationship: short + lived (Past participle of the verb “live”)
- Noun-Adjective:
- World-famous singer: World (noun) + famous (noun)
- Adjective-Noun:
- Last-minute solution: Last (adjective) + minute (noun)
- Deep-sea diving: deep (adjective) + sea (noun)
- Noun-Noun:
- Part-time job: Part (noun) + time (noun)
Compound Adjectives Vocabulary Punctuation
When is the Hyphen Used?
Hyphens are essential for connecting the words in a compound adjective when it precedes a noun, ensuring clarity in meaning. For example:
- I like deep-sea diving.
- They offer a part-time job.
However, when the compound adjective follows the verb “be” or sensory verbs like “seem” or “look,” the words often remain separate. For example:
- His ideas were lightly discussed.
Additionally, some compound adjectives are always hyphenated, so it’s wise to consult a dictionary or check online for confirmation:
- Their friendship was short-lived; they soon ended it and began to resent each other.
Hyphens and meaning
Sometimes, correct use of hyphens is crucial to avoid misunderstandings. For instance:
- He is a small business owner. (The business owner is small.)
- He is a small-business owner. (He owns a small business.)
In these cases, the hyphen clarifies that “small” describes the business, not the owner.
Singular Vs. Plural
Compound adjectives can be formed from various word combinations. Notably, when a compound adjective includes a noun, the noun is always in the singular form, as adjectives in English do not have plural forms.
Here are some common types of compound adjectives:
- He is a twenty-dollar bill collector.
- She is a five-star hotel manager.
- They are a two-hour drive away.
In these examples, “twenty-dollar,” “five-star,” and “two-hour” are compound adjectives modifying “bill collector,” “hotel manager,” and “drive,” respectively. Even though the nouns they modify could be plural, the compound adjectives remain singular.
List of Compound Adjectives Examples
- Well-behaved child
- High-speed train
- Cold-hearted person
- Snow-covered mountain
- Open-minded individual
- Hardworking student
- Fast-paced environment
- Red-hot chili pepper
- Narrow-minded viewpoint
- Long-term investment
- Heavy-duty machinery
- Quick-witted comedian
- Light-hearted comedy
- Thick-skinned politician
- Fast-growing economy
- Bright-eyed teenager
- Deep-seated prejudice
- Smooth-talking salesman
- Cold-blooded murderer
- Deep-rooted tradition
- Open-ended question
- High-pitched scream
- Short-tempered boss
- Strong-willed leader
- Hard-headed decision-maker
Compound Adjectives Vs. Compound Nouns
Compound adjectives modify nouns and usually involve a hyphen to connect the words, forming a single descriptive unit (e.g., “well-known artist”).
In contrast, compound nouns are nouns made up of two or more words that function as a single noun without necessarily modifying another noun (e.g., “toothpaste,” “basketball”).
Test Your Understanding of Compound Adjectives
Fill in the gaps with “family-owned, three-bedroom, last-minute, top-performing, cold-hearted“:
- She lives in a _____________ apartment.
- The _____________ restaurant offers a wide variety of dishes.
- He’s known for his _____________ behavior.
- The _____________ students performed exceptionally well on the exam.
- It was a _____________ decision that required careful consideration.
Conclusion
Understanding compound adjectives enriches your vocabulary and enhances your writing by allowing for more precise and expressive descriptions. With compound adjectives vocabulary, you can paint clearer and more vivid pictures in the minds of your readers.
Frequently Asked Questions on Compound Adjectives Vocabulary
What is the primary purpose of a compound adjective?
Compound adjectives provide specific and nuanced descriptions, combining two or more words to create a single descriptor for a noun.
Do all compound adjectives require hyphens?
Most do, especially when they appear before the noun they modify, to avoid confusion and clarify meaning.
Can compound adjectives be formed with more than two words?
Yes, compound adjectives can consist of multiple words, often connected by hyphens (e.g., “a two-and-a-half-hour movie”).
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