1.84 Specifying more exactly: compound nouns

A single noun is often not sufficient to refer clearly and unambiguously to a person or thing. When this is the case, a compound noun can be used. A compound noun is a fixed expression which is made up of more than one word and which functions in the clause as a noun.

• Some people write out a new address book every January.
• How would one actually choose a small personal computer?
• Where did you hide the can opener?
• ...a private swimming pool.

Once it is clear what you are referring to, it is sometimes possible to use just the second word of a two-word compound noun. For example, after mentioning 'a swimming pool', you can just refer to 'the pool'.

Most compound nouns consist of two words, but some consist of three or more words.

• ...a vase of lily of the valley.