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Compounding and
Blending

compound structures punctuation

word formation processes

The act of making a new word using an old one is

called derivation in English. And Compounding is
creating words by combining two or more words.
Let's learn!

What Is Compounding?

Compounding is a word formation process in which two or more words are combined to

create a new word with a new meaning. In a compound word, the meaning of the whole

word is often different from the meanings of the individual words that make it up.

Compounding: Types

There are three types of compounding:

Open Compounding: when there is a space between the two elements.

living room

half sister

full moon

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 Hyphenated Compounding: when there is a hyphen between the two words.

check-in

long-term

seventy-two

Close Compounding: when the two elements are written together to create a new word.

railroad

upstream

skateboard

Tip
There is no specific rule on how to write a compound word. Some words can be

written in all three forms (sixpack, six-pack, six pack), while others have a fixed form

(breakfast, bookcase). It is best to consult a dictionary to find the correct form.

As a general rule, the words in a compound adjective are hyphenated when they are

used before a noun (a well-known teacher) but not when they come after the noun

(The teacher is well known).

How to Form Compound Words?

There are several ways to make a compound word. Let us discuss them:

Noun-noun compounds consist of two nouns combined together to make a noun.

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fireworks

waistline

textbook

ice cream

Verb-noun compounds consist of a verb that is placed before a noun to make a noun.

killjoy

breakfast

pickpocket

Adjective-noun compounds consist of an adjective that comes before a noun to make a noun.

fast-food

easy chair

Verb-noun compounds are formed when a verb is followed by a noun to make a collocation
that acts as a verb.

take a walk

go shopping

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 Noun-verb compounds are formed from a noun that precedes a verb to make a new verb:

breastfeed

sunbathe

Adjective-participle compounds: adjectives stand before present participles (gerunds) or past

participles to make an adjective.

good-looking

* Here, we have a present participle (gerund).

never-ending

* As you can see, a present participle is used here.

double-sided

* Here, we have a past participle.

low-paid

* As you can see, a past participle is used here.

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an example of open compound

Adjective-noun compounds are formed when an adjective stands before a noun to make an
adjective:

blue-collar

short-term

long-distance

Noun-adjective compounds are formed when a noun is placed before an adjective/adverb to

make a compound adjective:

gender-neutral

born-again

cruelty-free

Verb-adverb compounds are formed when a verb comes before an adverb to make a noun.

look-out

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 drawback

take-off

Adverb-noun compounds are formed when an adverb comes before a noun to make a
compound noun.

onlooker

bystander

Adverb-verb compounds are formed from an adverb placed before a verb which makes a
compound noun.

output

upturn

input

The Plural Form of Compound Words

Compound nouns are usually pluralized by adding the inflection -s to the end of the word:

a skateboard: three skateboards

a game console: several game consoles

In compound nouns that are made by a noun and an adverb, the first part (noun) becomes

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 plural:

a hanger-on → several hangers-on

a listener-in → several listeners-in

a passer-by → several passers-by

Compound nouns that end in -'in-law' can be plural both on the first and the final part.

father-in-law → fathers-in-law or father-in-laws

brother-in-law → brothers-in-law or brother-in-laws

Rhyming Compounds

Rhyming compounds are a type of compound word that is formed by combining two words

that rhyme. In a rhyming compound, the final syllables of the two words have the same

sound. This formation process is mostly found in child talk (and talk addressed to children).

For example:

lovely-dovely

chiller-killer

tootsie-wootsie

Bunnie-wunnie

Note that not all compounded words are rhyming compounds.

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 Warning
The pronunciation of a compound noun is different from an adjective with a noun.

Stress is very important in this case. In compound nouns, the stress usually falls on

the first syllable. For example:

a 'greenhouse = place where we grow plants

(compound noun) Vs. a green 'house = a house

painted green (adjective and noun)

What Is Blending?

Blending is a word formation process in which two or more words are combined to create a

new word that merges the sounds and meanings of the original words.

Blending: Types

We have two main types of blending, which have been listed below:

Attributive blends: a blended word in which one word is the head and the other one is an
attributive modifying the head.

porta light: a light that is portable

* Here, 'Porta' is the attributive.

bathroom: a kind of room

* Here, 'room' is the head.

Coordinate blends: a blended word in which there are two heads and they add equal meanings
to the final blended word.

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 Breakfast + lunch = brunch

Transmitter + receiver = transceiver

How to Blend Words?

In the following, you will find ways to merge words to make a blended word:

the first part of the first word + the final part of the second word:

Breakfast + lunch = brunch

* As you can see, this is a non-overlapping blend that means no letters are overlapping.

Smoke + fog = smog

* As you can see, this is an overlapping blend: 'o' in two words overlaps.

the first part of the first word + the first part of the second word:

teleprinter + exchange = telex

* In this example, we have an overlapping blend.

foreign + exchange = forex

the ending part of the first word + the ending part of the second word:

hello kitty + delicious = kittylicious

the first part of the first word + the whole second word:

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Brad + Angelina = Brangelina

American + Indian = Amerindian

television + evangelist = televangelist

the first part of the first word + the whole or the ending part of the second word + the ending
part of the first word (splinter):

chuckle + snort = chortle

disgusting + gross = disgrossting

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Word Formation Processes Loan Words and Calque

In linguistics, there are many ways for Sometimes we adopt a word from a
creating a new word. In this lesson, we language and translate it more or less
will get to know all the word-formation literally. And Sometimes, we borrow words
processes in the English language. directly from another language. Let…

Affixes Prefixes

Affixes are like codes in a code language. Prefixes are a group of letters that are
With their help, you can decode the words placed at the beginning of the base of a
in a language. Let's take a closer look at word to changes its meaning and/or parts
these codes! of speech.

Suffixes Abbreviations

Suffixes are particles with separate Abbreviations are shortened forms of

meanings placed at the end of a root or a words or phrases. They normally
stem. Adding them to our words defines represent a whole sentence or phrase.
the final meaning of the whole term. Ready to learn them?

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