Subjects
Grades
Compound Words
Concept sheet | English Language Arts
Grade
3-6
| Secondary
1-3
What Are Compound Words?
Compound words are words or expressions formed by combining two or more words.
There are three types of compound words:
-
open: words separated by a space
-
closed: words combined without space
-
hyphenated: words joined together with a hyphen
The spelling of compound words may vary depending on its use.
Open Compound Words
Open compound words are words or expressions formed from two words separated by a space.
Open compound words are mostly nouns and verbs.
When open compound words form verbs, they are called phrasal verbs.
For example: look out.
Other Examples of Open Compound Words
|
living |
room |
living room |
|
ice |
cream |
ice cream |
|
cell |
phone |
cell phone |
|
vice |
president |
vice president |
Closed Compound Words
Closed compound words are words or expressions formed by combining two words that could stand on their own.
Closed compound words can belong to most parts of speech.
Other Examples of Closed Compound Words
|
after |
noon |
afternoon |
|
in |
side |
inside |
|
baby |
sit |
babysit |
|
world |
wide |
worldwide |
Hyphenated Compound Words
Hyphenated compound words are words or expressions formed from two or more words separated by a hyphen.
Hyphenated compound words can belong to most parts of speech.
Other Examples of Hyphenated Compound Words
|
well |
+ |
being |
= |
well-being |
|
king |
+ |
size |
= |
king-size |
|
double |
+ |
check |
= |
double-check |
|
self |
+ |
esteem |
= |
self-esteem |
It is also possible to form hyphenated compound words from 3 separate words.
|
sister |
+ |
in |
+ |
law |
= |
sister-in-law |
|
merry |
+ |
go |
+ |
round |
= |
merry-go-round |
|
over |
+ |
the |
+ |
counter |
= |
over-the-counter |
|
word |
+ |
of |
+ |
mouth |
= |
word-of-mouth |
Pluralizing Compound Words Forming Nouns
Open Compound Words
To pluralize open compound words forming nouns, only pluralize the last part of the word (the final word).
|
singular form |
plural form |
|
full moon |
full moons |
|
energy bar |
energy bars |
Closed Compound Words
Closed compound words are only pluralized when they form nouns. To pluralize them, add the -s at the end of the word.
|
singular form |
plural form |
|
wildflower |
wildflowers |
|
dishwasher |
dishwashers |
Hyphenated Compound Words
Each hyphenated compound word forming a noun is pluralized differently.
In most cases, the plural -s is added to the final word.
|
singular form |
plural form |
|
merry-go-round |
merry-go-rounds |
|
grown-up |
grown-ups |
However, when a hyphenated compound word contains more than one noun, the plural -s is added to the noun that exists multiple times.
|
singular form |
plural form |
|
sister-in-law |
sisters-in-law |
|
There are many sisters, not many laws. |
|
|
tractor-trailer |
tractor-trailers |
|
There are many trailers, not many tractors. |
|