word 1 + word 2 → one nounRead the two parts as one name for a place or thing.
Compound Nouns
B1Compound nouns combine words into one noun: bus stop, coffee shop, swimming pool. Learn the usual spelling and stress the first part in common examples.
What you'll learn
- Recognize common compound nouns as one meaning unit.
- Choose one word, hyphen, or two words in common compounds.
- Hear and use first-part stress in common compound nouns.
- Recognize -ing compound nouns that name places or things.
- Use familiar compound nouns in natural everyday sentences.
Structure
compound noun = one word / hyphenated / two wordsThe written form depends on the word. Learn the standard spelling of each common compound.
Build a sentence
Type
Item
busstop
We met at the bus stop.
Common compound noun: say BUS stop, with stronger stress on the first part.
When to use
Places and locations
Use compound nouns for everyday places: bus stop, coffee shop, train station. The two parts work together as one noun.
Objects and things
Use compound nouns for common objects: toothbrush, notebook, shopping bag. These are fixed everyday names.
-ing compounds
Some compounds start with an -ing form and name a place or purpose: swimming pool, dining room, shopping bag.
Markers
bus stopcoffee shopswimming pooltoothbrushnotebookfull-time
Spelling
fixed closed form
→ write as one wordnote + book → notebookstandard hyphenated form
→ add hyphenfull + time → full-timestandard open form
→ write as two wordsbus + stop → bus stopCommon mistakes
Wrong
I put the note book on the desk.
Correct
I put the notebook on the desk.
Notebook is a common closed compound noun, so it is written as one word.
Wrong
Maria wants a full time job.
Correct
Maria wants a full-time job.
Full-time is a standard hyphenated compound noun or adjective form in this expression.
Wrong
bus STOP
Correct
BUS stop
In common compound nouns, the first part often carries the main stress.
Wrong
Tom is waiting at the stop for buses.
Correct
Tom is waiting at the bus stop.
Bus stop is the natural fixed compound noun for this place.
Common misconceptions
❝ All compound nouns are written as one word. ❞
Compound nouns have different written forms. Some are one word, some have a hyphen, and some stay as two words.
❝ If a compound starts with -ing, it must describe an action happening now. ❞
An -ing word can be part of a noun. Swimming pool names a place; it does not say the action is happening now.
Skills in this rule (5)
RECOGNIZE_COMMON_COMPOUNDSw4Recognize common compound nouns as one unit of meaning
Read two words together as one idea, not as two separate things. Common examples are bus stop, coffee shop, and swimming pool.
CHOOSE_ONE_WORD_HYPHEN_OR_TWO_WORDSw5Choose whether a compound noun is one word, hyphenated, or two words
Some compound nouns are written as one word, some with a hyphen, and some as two words. Learn the standard written form of each common item.
PUT_MAIN_STRESS_ON_FIRST_PARTw4Put the main stress on the first part in common compound nouns
In many common compound nouns, the first word is stronger: BUS stop, COFFee shop, SWIMming pool. This helps listeners hear one combined noun.
USE_ING_COMPOUNDS_AS_NOUNSw3Use -ing compound nouns like swimming pool and shopping bag
Some compound nouns begin with an -ing form and name a thing, place, or purpose. The whole expression works as a noun.
USE_COMPOUNDS_IN_SENTENCESw4Use common compound nouns naturally in sentences
Choose a familiar compound noun that fits the situation and place it naturally in a sentence. Focus on real everyday items and places.