More about Nouns
A
compound noun is made up of two or more words used together as a single noun.
One Word
- (singular) passerby, filmmaker
- (plural) passersby, filmmakers
To form the plural of
one word compound nouns, add -s or -es to the end of most words. Some words, however, fall under the exception. In those cases, you add an -s or -es to the main word. If you are ever unsure, look it up.
Separate Words
- (singular) editor in chief, music box
- (plural) editors in chief, music boxes
To form the plural of
separate word compound nouns, add -s or -es to the end of most words. Some words, however, fall under the exception. In those cases, you add an -s or -es to the main word. If you are ever unsure, look it up.
Hyphenated Words
- (singlular) sister-in-law, great-grandmother
- (plural) sisters-in-law, great-grandmothers
To form the plural of
hyphenated word compound nouns, add -s or -es to the end of most words. Some words, however, fall under the exception. In those cases, you add an -s or -es to the main word. If you are ever unsure, look it up.
Collective Nouns
A
collective noun is a word that names a group.
- audience, chorus, family, crowd, orchestra, colony, band, herd, flock, pride, pack, bundle, collection, fleet, set
The greatest difficulty with
collective nouns is that they can be both singular or plural with a change in spelling.
Nouns that are not collective, need to be made plural to name a group.
But, the singular form of a
collective noun already names a group.
When using a collective noun, the verb must agree.
If the collective noun is singular, a singular verb must be used.
- The audience cheers the singer as she takes the stages. Audience is singular. (It cheers.)
If the collective noun is plural, a plural verb must be used.
- The audience take their seats before the opening act begins. Audience is plural. (They take.) The hint word was their.
