In this blog post, you’ll learn about compound adjectives, which are formed by combining two or more words to describe a noun more precisely. Compound adjectives help make your descriptions clearer and more detailed, adding richness to your sentences. Understanding how to use them correctly will improve your writing and speaking skills in English.
What are Compound Adjectives?
A compound adjective is an adjective that is made up of two or more words working together to describe a noun. These words are usually connected with a hyphen (-) to form a single idea. Compound adjectives help make descriptions more specific, clear, and detailed.
Read more about: Types of Adjectives
The Importance of the Hyphen
The hyphen plays a very important role in compound adjectives. It makes sure that the two or more words are understood as one single idea. Without the hyphen, the meaning of the sentence can be confusing.
Common Ways to form Compound Adjectives
Number + Noun
Examples:
- Five-star hotel
- nine-inch heels
- four-step guide
- five-minute talk
- ten-day tour
- ten-page brochure
- 10000-word letter
- three-week vacation
- 40-minute drive
- four-year relationship
Number + Noun + Adjective
Examples:
- Five-year-old boy
- 7-year-old friendship
- 69-year-old neighbour
- four-year-old building
- one-year-old car
- seven-month-old babe
Noun + Adjective
Examples:
- User-friendly software
- world-famous writer
- worry-free sleep
- colour-sensitive care
- smoke-free area
- brand-new shirt
- fat-free oil
- life-long friendship
- rock-solid strength
- chocolate-brown colour
Adjective + Noun
Examples:
- Full-time job
- fast-food restaurant
- all-day comfort
- true-life drama
- deep-water vessel
- long-life health
- third-party coverage
- last-minute decision
- full-length story
- laser-cut shoes
- high-tech thoughts
Noun + Noun
Examples:
- Snow-covered mountain
- goody-goody picture
- mother-daughter affection
- tip-top condition
Adjective + Adjective
Examples:
- Bitter-sweet experience
- extra-large shirt
- extra-strong energy
- purple-brown windows
- north-west plot
- super-confident person
Noun + Present Participle
Examples:
- Time-consuming task
- mouth-watering dishes
- record-breaking jump
- energy-saving light bulbs
- fun-loving story
- life-changing moment
- nail-biting habit
- man-eating animal
Noun + Past Participle
Examples:
- Hand-made gift
- sun-dried raisins
- alcohol-based sanitizers
- appearance-focused culture
- berry-coloured suitcase
- blood-stained clothes
- calorie-controlled diet
- coffee-coloured building
- computer-based work
Adjective + Past Participle
Examples:
- Well-known actor
- old-fashioned taste
- cold-blooded people
- best-paid content writer
- black painted nails
- hard-earned money
- less-lined writing
- long-awaited return
- middle-aged woman
- ready-made juice
Adjective + Present Participle
Examples:
- Good-looking person
- long-lasting memory
- delicious-tasting meals
- great-tasting ingredients
- long-wearing lip balm
- natural-looking appearance
- slim-fitting trousers
- sweet-smelling ingredients
- healthy-eating plan
Adverb + Past Participle
Examples:
- Highly-respected leader
- brightly-lit room
- well-known musician
- densely-populated area
- best-paid film director
- hard-earned money
- newly-born baby
- long-awaited return
With the word “style”
Examples:
- Vintage-style dress
- cafe-style tea
- kimono-style coat
- nuclear-style destruction
- retro-style piece
- utility-style garments
Compound Adjectives with Phrases
Examples:
- Out-of-date product
- all-expenses-paid tour
- all-in-one guide
- back-to-nature experience
- day-to-day performance
- down-on-one-knee situation
- down-to-earth statesman
- easy-to-apply techniques
- end-of-year event
- fresh-from-the-sea ripples
When to Use a Hyphen in Compound Adjectives:
1. Before a Noun:
Use a hyphen when the compound adjective comes before the noun it describes. This ensures the words are seen as a single idea.
Example:
- A well-known actor (Correct)
- A well known actor (Incorrect)
2. With Numbers and Measurements:
Use a hyphen when numbers or measurements form part of a compound adjective before a noun.
Example:
- A five-year-old boy
- A 10-mile journey
3. Avoid Confusion:
Use a hyphen to avoid confusion or misreading when combining words might otherwise be unclear.
Example:
- A small-business owner (The owner of a small business)
- A small business owner (Could be misunderstood as a business owner who is small in size)
4. With Well- and Other Adverbs Ending in -ly (for adjectives):
Use a hyphen after words like “well-” and other adjectives that end in -ly, but only before the noun.
Example:
- A well-organized event
- A carefully-planned trip
5. For Certain Prefixes:
Use a hyphen with some prefixes (like ex-, self-, all-) and when the base word is capitalized.
Examples:
- Ex-president
- Self-employed
- All-inclusive vacation
- Non-English speaker
When to Avoid a Hyphen in Compound Adjectives:
1. After the Noun:
Don’t use a hyphen when the compound adjective comes after the noun in the sentence.
Example:
- The boy is five years old. (No hyphen after the noun)
2. With Very or Adverbs Ending in -ly (for verbs):
Do not use a hyphen with adverbs ending in -ly or words like “very.”
Example:
- A very well organized event (No hyphen with “very” or “well”)
- A beautifully decorated room (No hyphen with -ly adverbs)
3. With Common Compound Nouns:
Some compound adjectives or nouns have become so common that the hyphen is no longer needed.
Example:
- High school (No hyphen needed)
- Living room (No hyphen needed)
4. When the meaning is clear without it:
If the meaning is already clear, the hyphen can be avoided in certain cases.
Example:
- A chocolate chip cookie (No hyphen needed; the meaning is clear.)
Compound Adjectives with Examples in English
Example Sentences of Compound Adjectives
Here’s the list of compound adjectives in example sentences for everyday conversation:
- She has a well-behaved dog.
- This is a last-minute decision.
- He is a hard-working student.
- The full-time job is exhausting.
- It’s a five-star restaurant.
- The cake was sugar-free, but still delicious.
- He lives in a two-bedroom apartment.
- That is a high-quality product.
- I bought a second-hand car last week.
- They went on a two-week vacation.
- He gave me a well-written report.
- She wore a brightly-colored dress.
- This is a family-friendly movie.
- The snow-covered mountain looked beautiful.
- My grandmother is a soft-spoken woman.
- We had a five-course meal at the wedding.
- They’re looking for a full-time employee.
- The low-cost solution was a great idea.
- It was a nail-biting game until the very end.
- The fast-paced movie kept everyone on the edge of their seats.
- He is an open-minded person.
- They live in a well-maintained house.
- She has a long-lasting friendship with him.
- The new phone is user-friendly.
- It was a record-breaking performance.
- The well-known author gave a speech.
- We stayed at a dog-friendly hotel.
- He made a mouth-watering dessert.
- They followed the old-fashioned traditions.
- She gave a heart-warming speech at the wedding.
Compound Adjectives Examples
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