To talk about kind of thing or a person
When we want to talk about a specific kind of thing or person, we can use one noun before another noun. The first noun is always singular, even if it refers to multiple things or people.
Example 1:
- Chocolate Milk (The first noun “chocolate” represents the kind of the second noun “milk.”)
- Milk Chocolate (The first noun “milk” represents the kind of the second noun “chocolate.”)
Example 2: Flower shop (NOT flowers shop)
To talk about what things are made up of
Usually, when we use a noun + noun structure, it tells us what the second noun is made of.
Examples:
- Vegetable soup
- Leather jacket
- Paper plate
Verb + er
We often use a noun + noun structure when the second noun is made from a verb + er.
Examples of nouns made from verb + er:
- Driver (verb: to drive)
- Manager (verb: to manage)
- Smoker (verb: to smoke)
- Climber (verb: to climb)
Examples of noun + noun structure:
- Bus driver
- Office manager
- Cigarette smoker
- Hill climber
Difference between noun + noun structure and ‘s/s’ possessives
We also use possessive ‘s or s’ to connect two nouns.
Examples:
- Brother’s wife.
- Children’s playground.
- Parents’ house
So, which one to use and when?
The ‘s or s’ possessive is used when the first noun shows possession, a relationship, or experiences with the second noun. Otherwise, we use the noun + noun structure.
In short, things are usually NOT followed by ‘s or s’.
Examples:
- Telephone diary (NOT telephone’s diary)
- Brother’s house (shows possession)
- Job interview (NOT Job’s interview)
- Sister’s interview (shows experience)
Quiz
Premium _________ brands often include a variety of protein sources like chicken, beef, or fish to provide optimal nutrition for dogs.
- Change the expression “food for dogs” to either noun + noun structure or ‘s/s’ possessive and fill in the blank:
Premium _________ brands often include a variety of protein sources like chicken, beef, or fish to provide optimal nutrition for dogs. - Translate the expression “John had an accident” to either noun + noun or s’/s’ possessive and select the correct option.
- Which of the following examples demonstrates the correct use of a noun + noun structure?
- When do we use the ‘s or s’ possessive instead of a noun + noun structure?
- “Shirts made of cotton” can be written as
Premium dog food brands often include a variety of protein sources like chicken, beef, or fish to provide optimal nutrition for dogs.
Note that “Dog food” is a general term that refers to food specifically formulated for dogs. It doesn’t imply possession or refer to the food belonging to a particular dog.
It must be “John’s accident” as it shows the experience he had before.
The metal key is the correct noun + noun structure as it represents the type of key it is made of.
The ‘s or s’ possessive is used when the first noun indicates possession, a relationship, or experiences with the second noun.
“shirts made of cotton” can be written as “cotton shirts”.
Leave a Reply