Compound Nouns

Module 1: The Parts of Speech

A compound noun consists of two or more words used together as a single noun. The parts of a compound noun may be written as one word, two or more words, or as a hyphenated word.

One Word	bodyguard, footprint, newspaper
Two or More Words	high school, Kalahari Desert, League of Nations
Hyphenated Word	great-grandmother, left-hander

NOTE: If you are not sure how to write a compound noun, look it up in a dictionary. As a rule, use the form your dictionary lists first.

Exercise 3: Identifying Compound Nouns

Identify the compound noun(s) in each sentence. Select an option to receive instant feedback.

1. At last, Cheng Ho reached the Persian Gulf.

A) At last
B) Cheng Ho, Persian Gulf
C) reached the

2. Your bill of sale is proof that you paid.

A) bill of sale
B) is proof
C) that you paid

3. The nation watched in horror as the spacecraft fell.

A) nation, horror
B) watched in
C) spacecraft

4. The experiment will test how long the night light will burn.

A) night light
B) experiment, test
C) will burn

5. The new cast will be listed on the bulletin board in the hallway.

A) new cast
B) bulletin board, hallway
C) will be listed

6. I'm taking this course so that I can be a lifeguard next summer.

A) this course
B) lifeguard
C) next summer

7. We were supposed to find the icecap on the map.

A) supposed to
B) icecap
C) on the map

8. You can take my sleeping bag when you go fly-fishing.

A) sleeping bag, fly-fishing
B) you can take
C) when you go

9. Do you know how many patents Thomas Alva Edison held?

A) how many patents
B) Thomas Alva Edison
C) Edison held

10. Some arrowheads were made of flint and some of bone.

A) flint, bone
B) arrowheads
C) were made