Word Formation: Compound Nouns
Starter
Show learners the first slide and the list of words. Have the learners discuss what they think the words have in common in pairs or small groups. In the next slide, explain that they are all compound nouns.
Compound nouns are formed with a base word, which is always a noun, and a specifying word, that can belong to several word classes.
Demonstrate the meaning of base and specifying noun, and then finally discuss the bullet-point questions with the whole class. The answer to the second question is 'yes' and they will see more examples of this next.
Activity 1
Next, the learners test their knowledge. Show them the nine compound nouns and ask them to organise them into three categories. The three categories relate to the word class of the specifying noun. Allow the learners time to attempt this activity in pairs or small groups, before checking the answers as a whole class. The order of the categories does not matter, as long as the different word classes are grouped correctly.
Show the next slide to check the answers and talk through how the words are formed.
Activity 2
Next, learners will do a mix-and-match activity. Drag the cards together to connect and double click to separate. Have the learners copy down the words and check as a whole class, asking learners to come to the front to connect the words. Click 'Submit your Answers' to check.
In the next slide, explain the variety of spelling conventions for compound nouns. Unfortunately, there is no simple rule for knowing which convention is used, so these must be learned by-heart!
Activity 3
Ask the learners to look back on their notes. Choose ten compound nouns and write a sentence for each; then compare in small groups. As an extension, ask learners to keep a record of any compound nouns they notice around the school or in everyday life. Or, ask them to invent compound nouns for to describe new ideas or products.
This lesson is adapted (with permission) from Words and Meanings: A Systematic Guide for the Teaching of English Vocabulary, by Gabriele Stein.
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Word Formation: Compound Nouns
Starter
Look at this list of words. What do they all have in common?
alarm clock, birthday, football, homework, sunflower, weekend
How are these words different to ones like car, dog or house?
These words are all nouns which are made by combining two nouns together.
These types of words called compound words or in this case compound nouns.
alarm clock, birthday, football, homework, sunflower, weekend
What is the relationship between the first and second noun in each word?
The second noun tells us what the whole word refers to e.g. clock, ball, flower.
The first noun specifies the type more precisely: alarm clock (not grandfather clock), football (not tennis ball), or sunflower (not elderflower).
The second noun is the base noun and the first is the specifying noun.
- What other noun + noun compound words can you think of?
- Can you make compound nouns with other word classes?
Activity 1
Organise these compound nouns into three categories.
The categories are distinguished by what word class comes before the base noun.
You should have organised the compound words into these three categories (in any order!):
1. noun + noun
- caveman, teacup, finger nail
2. adjective + noun
- blackbird, red card, smallpox
3. present participle + noun
- frying pan, humming bird, washing machine
Activity 2
Here are some more compound nouns that have been separated. Match the two appropriate parts together.
Drag the cards together to connect and double click to separate.
Check your list of compound nouns with a partner. Do you notice any variations in how these words are formed?
Compound words can be spelled in two different ways:
1. As one word with the base and specifying word combined
- blackberry, toothpaste, wallpaper
2. As two words with a space between the base and specifying words
- black market, chewing gum, country house
Activity 3
Look back at today's lesson.
Choose ten compound words and write a sentence for each one.
Extension
Keep an eye out for compound words in everyday life. Businesses often invent compound words to give new names to their products e.g. playstation.
Tell the class what compound words you have spotted. Or, invent some original compound words for new ideas or inventions