Noun Modifiers
Using nouns as adjectives
A noun can be used to modify another noun:
| NOUN + MODIFYING PHRASE | A NOUN MODIFIER |
|---|---|
A noun can be modified by a phrase that comes after it: an adjective phrase or preposition phrase. |
A phrase can be shortened by using |
The Jeep has a drive(-train) that moves all four wheels. (adjective phrase) |
It has four-wheel drive. (a double-noun modifier) |
He is a champion in swimming. (preposition phrase) |
He is a swimming champion. (a single-noun modifier) |
May I have a spoon for eating soup. (preposition phrase) |
May I have a soup spoon. |
Ring the bell aside the door. (preposition phrase) |
Ring the door bell. |
Hyphens
| A NOUN MODIFIER | A DOUBLE-NOUN MODIFIER |
|---|---|
Two nouns do not require a hyphen. |
Use a hyphen to link two nouns that modify another noun, or to clarify which noun modifies which word. |
She bought some cat food. cat (n.) modifies food (n.) |
She bought a cat-food dish. |
We bought two foot stools. two (det.) modifies [foot(n.) modifies stools (n.)] |
We bought two-foot stools. two-foot (adj.) modifies stools (n.) |
The train station is nearby. train (n.) modifies station (n.) |
The Menlo-Atherton train station, The California-Nevada border is nearby. |
We offer evening classes. evening (n.) modifies classes (n.) |
If you are a do-it-yourself person, don't call us for an estimate. |
For more examples, see Using a hyphen with a modifier .
Plural Exceptions
| PLURAL NOUN MODIFIER | SINGULAR NOUN MODIFIER |
|---|---|
Normally, adjectives do not take the plural form. However, these are exceptions: 1) indicates variety; 2) no singular noun form exists; 3) specifies a degree or field of study; 4) specifies an office, department or division; 5) refers to a news or social issue. |
Often, singular and plural forms avoid confusion by differentiating two possible meanings such as. proper name v. generic noun. Hyphenated modifiers cause irregular plural modifiers to conform to the singular modifier convention. |
It is a sports magazine / car. (Indicates variety.) |
I bought a sport-utility vehicle. (other words) |
We attended a jobs fair. (Indicates variety.) |
I have a job interview today. |
The Yankees were the 2009 World Series winners. (No singular form exists.) |
|
United States law prohibits torture. (No singular form exists.) |
|
The customs officer asked us questions. (No singular form exists.) |
|
She is studying to get a Linguistics degree. (Specifies a degree.) |
She has excellent linguistic skills. |
My sister received her Creative Arts certificate. (Specifies a certificate.) |
She has creative art abilities. |
Please contact the Appointments desk first. (Specifies an office.) |
I have an appointment application on my computer. |
We called the benefits representative for help. (Specifies a worker in an office.) |
The state is undertaking a cost-benefit study. |
You will find him in the Language Arts division. (Specifies a division.) |
|
The gay rights issue of marriage has gone to court. (Specifies a social issue.) |
|
Please send me a Girl Scouts booklet. (Specifies the organization or title.) |
She bought a Girl Scout uniform. |
We listened to a blues band. (Specifies the music style.) |
There are blue people in the movie Avatar. |
See Unusual Sing & Plural Nouns.
Practice
Changing Nouns to Modifiers
- Select the word form that best completes the sentence.
- Use the check button to compare your response to the correct answer.