Compound words are two words joined together to create a new, more specific word. They can be formed as a solid term or using a hyphen. It is important to understand their use as they can have different meanings when put together. The spelling of the words usually doesn’t change, but some can be hyphenated. Writers should consult a dictionary for correct structure.
Words like “airplane,” “newspaper,” or “paperclip” contain two distinct words that function separately but have been thrown together. The joining of these two independent words creates a compound word, which can have a new meaning or simply a more precise definition. “Air” and “plane” combine to form “airplane”, while “paper” and “clip” become “paperclip”. These words can be formed as a solid term or using a hyphen; non-standard phrases are often created as descriptive words or adjectives.
Meaning and purpose
A compound word is, simply, two words joined together to create a new and often more specific word applicable to a particular circumstance. For example, the word “news” can mean many things, although it usually refers to the provision of current information. When combined with the word “paper”, which could also refer to several things, the compound word “newspaper” is formed and refers to a specific object. Similarly, a “paperclip” is a particular type of clip that is intended for a specific purpose.
Typical use
It is important to understand the use of compound words because some of them may have different definitions when words are put together, rather than just being used consecutively in a sentence. This distinction is critical to ensuring the correct meaning in a statement. For example, the compound word “overall” has a slightly different meaning than the two words “overall” in a sentence.
This can be seen in the following two sentences: “Overall, I enjoyed the film” and “The film was chosen among all others to win an award”. In the first example, “overall” is a transition word that summarizes the speaker’s thoughts. It could be used synonymously with terms like “in conclusion”. In the second example, however, the words “above all” imply “above all others” or “above all others”; this usage means something is superior to something else, rather than a summation.
Basic structure
When someone joins two words to form a compound word, the spelling of those words usually doesn’t change. Instead, the main change is simply a deletion of the spaces between words. It is, in essence, a marriage of words, where two become one.
There are some exceptions to this marriage rule. Just as many women prefer a hyphenated last name when they marry to keep their maiden names, some compound words can be hyphenated instead of directly joined together. Compound words not joined by a hyphen are called “closed” compounds, while words joined by a hyphen are “hyphenated” compounds. There is also an “open” form for a compound word like “post office,” where the space isn’t deleted but the two words function as one.
Hyphenated and closed compounds
When choosing whether to join words, by hyphen or space deletion, a writer should consult a dictionary for the correct structure. There are many words that can be combined, and sometimes it can be difficult to determine how they should be combined and in what context it is appropriate to do so. Generally, when someone joins two words that aren’t usually compounded, the writer uses a dash to express a relationship, instead of creating a compound word that doesn’t actually exist. This is often done for words that are used together to make an adjective such as “known” or “bright red.”
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