In this article common noun and compound noun has been discussed with nine facts. The readers will get sufficient examples with detailed explanation for better understanding.
Common noun and compound noun are in the categories of concrete nouns. A common noun is a noun that names a class of persons or things or any individual of a class. Basically common nouns are words that are used to name general items rather specific ones. Common nouns are everywhere and we use them all the time.
Teacher, student, girl, boy, street, tiger, dog, cat are al common nouns. Whereas compound nouns are the nouns that are formed with two or more words such as ceiling fan, playground, keyboard. Other compound nouns are neatly tied together with a hyphen (-). These nouns are called hyphenated compound nouns such as merry-go-round, x-ray, father-in-law etc. A compound noun can be called a common noun.
Ex-Merry-go-round is an attraction of a village fair.
Explanation- In the above example the compound word ‘merry-go-round’ is is made with merry, go and round. It acts as a common noun here.
Can common nouns be called compound nouns?
A compound noun can be a common noun. But all common nouns cannot be called compound nouns. Common nouns may be a single word or it may be formed with two or more words jointly together. Sometimes two or more words are joined together with hyphen (-) and they form one word. It can be called common noun or any other. So common noun may include compound noun but common noun cannot be called compound noun.
Ex- A passer-by is walking on the street with a walking stick.
Explanation- In this example ‘passer-by’ is a common noun. It refers to the class of person. In spite of a compound it cannot be a compound noun.
Ex- My sister-in-law is a teacher of a primary school..
Explanation-In the above example ‘sister-in-law’ is an example of common noun. It falls in the category of common noun because it refers to class of people. Though it is a compound word it cannot be called compound noun.
When are common nouns and compound nouns same?
Common noun refers to the classes of people, animal or things and compound nouns contain two or more words that are joined together to make a single word. Sometimes these compound words are used as common nouns are used as a common noun. When compound nouns become common nouns they are the same. Then we may call t compound common noun. They can be differentiated then.
Ex- Our clothes are washed in the washing machine.
Explanation- In this example the word ‘washing machine’ is a compound noun. It is formed with the words ‘washing’ and ‘machine’. Here it is used as a common noun.
Ex- Sumit, clean the blackboard.
Explanation- In this example the word ‘blackboard’ is a compound noun. It is formed with words ‘black’ and ‘board’. Here the word is used as a common noun.
How common nouns and compound nouns are same?
Common nouns refer to the classes of people, animals or things. Compound nouns are the words that are made with two or more words. Compound nouns are also used as common nouns when they fulfill the features of common nouns. So, compound nouns and common nouns are same.
Ex- My father reads the newspaper in the afternoon daily.
Explanation- Here the word ‘newspaper’ is a compound noun. It is used as a common noun. It is clear to us that compound noun can be used as a common noun.
Ex- Where is the post office?
Explanation- Here the word ‘post office’ is a compound noun. It works as a common noun in the example.
What are the common compound nouns?
Common compound nouns are the words that we find in our day today life very often. When compound nouns are used as common nouns they are called common compound nouns. They act as one noun and it is a common noun.
List of common compound nouns:
- 1.Daylight
- 2.Lifespan
- 3.Seashore
- 4.Moonlight
- 5.Cupboard
- 6.Dragonfly
- 7.Landlord
- 8.Homework
- 9.Teapot
- 10.Timetable
- 11.Raindrops
- 12.Popcorn
- 13.Goldfish
- 14.Railway
- 15.Handmade
Examples of common compound nouns with detailed explanations:
Snowstorm-Snowstorm in Darjeeling is extremely beautiful.
Explanation-In this sentence ‘snowstorm’ is a compound noun. It is used as a common noun here.
Boyfriend- Archana’s boyfriend is an engineer.
Explanation- Here the word ‘boyfriend’ is a compound noun. The word is made with the words ‘boy’ and ‘friend’. It acts as a common noun here.
Grandmother- Your grandmother is old but stout.
Explanation-The word ‘grandmother’ is a compound noun that is formed with the words ‘grand’ and ‘mother’. It is used as a common noun in this example.
Smartphone– A smartphone has been bought for my uncle.
Explanation-In this example the word ‘smartphone’ is a compound noun. It is made with two words ‘smart’ and ‘phone’. It is used as a common noun.
Birthday- My parents arranged my birthday in a grand manner.
Explanation- Here the word ‘birthday’ is a compound noun. It is made with the words ‘birth’ and ‘day’. The word birthday acts as a compound noun here
Cowboy- The cowboy took a herd of cows to the field.
Explanation- In the sentence ‘cowboy’ is a compound noun. It is made with the words ’cow’ and ‘boy’. Its function shows the example of a compound noun.
Sunshine- The sunshine in the hill looks fantastic.
Explanation- In this sentence ‘sunshine’ is a compound noun that is made with the two words ‘sun’ and ‘shine’. This noun is used as a common noun.
Greenhouse- The greenhouse gasses are harmful to us.
Explanation- Here the word ‘greenhouse’ is a compound noun. It is made with ‘green’ and ‘house’. It is used as a common noun.
Daydream-Many thoughts arise in our daydream.
Explanation- Here the word ‘daydream’ is a compound noun that is made with the words ‘day’ and ‘dream’. It acts as a common noun.
Classmate-My classmate Michael is a great cricketer.
Explanation-Here the word ‘classmate’ is a compound noun that is formed with ‘class’ and ‘mate’. It is a common noun here.
Gentleman- The gentleman standing here is your uncle.
Explanation- Here the word ‘gentleman’ is an example of compound noun that is formed with ‘gentle’ and ‘man’ It is used as a common noun here.
Is there any relation between common noun and compound noun?
There is an acute relation between common noun and compound noun. Common nouns are non-specific nouns that refer to the classes of people, animals or things. Compound nouns on the other hand are also made with two or more words and refer to non-specific classes of people, animals or things. Both the nouns can be used as subject or object in a sentence.
Ex- The football match between Brazil and Arjentina is always exciting.
Explanation- Here ‘football’ is a compound noun and acts as a common noun. It is made with the words ‘foot’ and ‘ball’.
Are common nouns and compound nouns always same?
Common nouns and compound nouns are basically used in the same way. Both of these nouns can act as subject or object in a sentence. Both the nouns can refer to non-specific items.
Ex- The headmaster delivered a memorable speech about a leader.
Explanation- In this example ‘headmaster’ is a compound noun that acts as a common noun. Here the word ‘leader’ is a common noun. Both these words act as common nouns.
Difference between common noun and compound noun.
Common nouns are both single and compound words. But compound nouns are made with two or more words. Common nouns are only nouns. Compound nouns are made with noun+noun, noun+verb and noun+adjective. They may be made with two or more words but act as a single part of speech. Compound nouns have stress on the first word. Common nouns have the stress on the whole word.
Ex- Do you know where the highway is?
Explanation- Here the word ‘highway’ is a compound noun and acts as a common noun. The first word ‘high’ has stress on it.
Conclusion
We will get to know about common nouns and compound nouns with ample examples. The readers going through the whole article can learn the use of these nouns very well.
Hi…. I am Goutam Datta. I have completed a double M. A. in English and B. Ed. I am a creative writer. Currently, I am a part of the LambdaGeeks.
