Two Classes/Compound Words - Number - Gender - Noun-Parts Of Speech-ESL/Learn English Grammar

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[Sidenote: Two classes of compound words.]


50. Compound words may be divided into two classes:--


(1) _Those whose parts are so closely joined as to constitute one

word._ These make the last part plural.


courtyard

dormouse

Englishman

fellow-servant

fisherman

Frenchman

forget-me-not

goosequill

handful

mouthful

cupful

maidservant

pianoforte

stepson

spoonful

titmouse


(2) _Those groups in which the first part is the principal one,

followed by a word or phrase making a modifier._ The chief member adds

_-s_ in the plural.


aid-de-camp

attorney at law

billet-doux

commander in chief

court-martial

cousin-german

father-in-law

knight-errant

hanger-on


NOTE.--Some words ending in _-man_ are not compounds of the English

word _man_, but add _-s_; such as

_talisman_, _firman_, _Brahman_,

_German_, _Norman_, _Mussulman_, _Ottoman_.



51. Some groups pluralize both parts of the group; as

_man singer_,

_manservant_,

_woman servant_,

_woman singer_.



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