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Template:Noun as modifier: Difference between revisions

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* nouns can be used to modify or qualify another noun
* when there are consecutive nouns (not a list of nouns separated by commas), i.e., one after the other, the nouns are either multiple objects (one direct, the other indirect) or one noun is modifying the other
** modify = change the meaning of
* such nouns are called "attributive" nouns
* attributive nouns modify or qualify another noun
** modify = change or add to the meaning of
** qualify =  limit the meaning of  
** qualify =  limit the meaning of  
* called "attributive noun"
** attributive = provides an "attribute" or characteristic or quality to the other noun
** provides an "attribute" or characteristic or quality to the other noun
* ex.: "dog food"
** ex.: "dog food"
** i.e.: "dog food" = "a type of food that is for dogs"  
*** i.e.: "dog food" = "a type of food that is for dogs"  
** "dog" thereby indicates a type or characteristic of "food"
*** "dog" thereby indicates a type or characteristic of "food"
* the attributive noun is (almost) always singular
* the attributive noun is (almost) always singular
** = same as with adjectives, which are always in the singular form ("red shoes" as opposed to "reds shoes")
** = because it is acting like an adjective, which always remains in the singular form ("red shoes" as opposed to "reds shoes")
** as a category or type, the noun must remain singular
** = as a category or type, the noun must remain singular
click EXPAND for more on exceptions to the singular attributive and for synonymous terms: "appositive" and "adjunct nouns"
click EXPAND for more on exceptions to the singular attributive and for synonymous terms: "appositive" and "adjunct nouns"
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** [http://myenglishgrammar.com/lesson-12-modifiers/4-nouns-as-modifiers.html Nouns as Modifiers (meg.com)]
** [http://myenglishgrammar.com/lesson-12-modifiers/4-nouns-as-modifiers.html Nouns as Modifiers (meg.com)]
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* note:
** two nouns next to one another (without a possessive) may be direct and indirect objects of a verb and not attributive
** ex. "She gave the man grief"
*** "gave" = the action , the noun "grief" is what was given (direct object) and the noun "man" is to whom the grief was given (indirect object)