Two nouns together

A Introduction

Look at these phrases.

a bread knife = a knife for cutting bread a cookery book = a book about cookery

a bus driver = someone who drives a bus my birthday party = a party on my birthday

the street lights = the lights in the street a paper bag = a bag made of paper

In English we often use one noun before another like this. The two nouns are often written as separate words, but we sometimes use a hyphen (-), or we write them as a single word.

a tea break at the tea-table in a large teapot

There are no exact rules about whether we join the words or not. If you are unsure, it is usually safest to write two separate words.

B A souvenir shop, etc

Look at these examples.

a souvenir shop = a shop selling souvenirs an animal hospital = a hospital for animals

through the letter-box = a box for letters

The first noun is usually singular. There are some exceptions, e.g. a sports club, a goods train, a clothes-brush, a sales conference.

C A teacup and a cup of tea

A teacup is a cup for holding tea. A cup of tea is a cup full of tea

Here are some more examples.

I picked up a cigarette packet. Gary opened a packet of cigarettes.

I'll wash the milk bottle. There's a bottle of milk in the fridge.

D An ing-form + a noun

We can use an ing-form with a noun.

a sleeping-bag = a bag for sleeping in a waiting-room - a room for waiting in

a washing-machine = a machine for washing clothes

E Longer phrases

We can use more than two nouns.

a glass coffee-table at Sydney Opera House the bedroom carpet the winter bus timetable

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