Here are four compound nouns. Each is a kind of fish. Which
part of the compound noun tells you the specific kind of fish?
puffer fish
sunfish
angelfish
swordfish
puffer
sun
angel
sword
1
In English, the first part of the noun compound tells you the
specific kind, and the second part tells you the general type.
puffer fish
sunfish
angelfish
swordfish
puffer
sun
angel
sword
PUF-fer fish
SUN-fish
AN-gel-fish
SWORD-fish
2
Where is the word stress placed?
puffer fish
sunfish
angelfish
swordfish
puffer
sun
angel
sword
PUF-fer fish
SUN-fish
AN-gel-fish
SWORD-fish
3
Word stress is usually placed within the first part of the noun
compound—the part that tells the specific kind.
puffer fish
sunfish
angelfish
swordfish
puffer
sun
angel
sword
PUF-fer fish
SUN-fish
AN-gel-fish
SWORD-fish
4
Here are some more examples:
elm tree
maple tree
pine tree
apple tree
ELM tree
MA-ple tree
PINE tree
AP-ple tree
fish market
farmers’
market
flea market
supermarket
FISH mar-ket
FAR-mers’
mar-ket
FLEA mar-ket
SU-per-market
eye surgeon
oral surgeon
EYE sur-geon
OR-al surgeon
heart surgeon brain surgeon
HEART surgeon
BRAIN surgeon
5
Try these on your own:
starlight
moonlight
sunlight
night light
homeland
fatherland
motherland
no man’s land
bird food
fish food
dog food
finger food
6
Try these on your own:
starlight
moonlight
sunlight
night light
STAR-light
MOON-light
SUN-light
NIGHT light
homeland
fatherland
motherland
no man’s land
HOME-land
FAT-ther-land
MO-ther-land
NO man’s
land
bird food
fish food
dog food
finger food
BIRD food
FISH food
DOG food
FING-er food
7
HOME-work
8
Suggest five of your own
noun compounds. Use
each one in a sentence.
Come to class prepared
to read them aloud.
9