compound adjective
(noun)
One word formed with two hyphenated words and used to describe a noun.
Examples of compound adjective in the following topics:
-
Adjectives
- In some situations, two adjectives may be used to describe a noun.
- But other times, the adjectives combine to become one adjective joined by a hyphen.
- Heavy-metal is the compound adjective describing the detector.
- The standard form for using adjectives for comparison is to add -er to the end of an adjective being used to compare two items (brighter, cooler) and -est to the end of an adjective used to compare more than two items (brightest, coolest).
- Sometimes, pronouns can be used as adjectives.
-
Components of a Sentence
- (adjective clause)
- Compound elements can include:
- Compound predicate: He ran to the house and knocked on the door.
-
Adverbs
- Just as adjectives modify nouns and pronouns, adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs.
- Many adjectives can be made into adverbs simply by adding -ly to the end.
- ["Of this diet" describes the adjective "tired."]
- Hyphens can be used to combine an adverb and adjective to describe a noun.
- In this situation, the adverb is describing the adjective, and the adjective is describing the noun.
-
Introduction to Adjectives and Adverbs
- We need adverbs and adjectives in order to be descriptive in our writing.
- Like adjectives, adverbs can also help add details to your writing.
- Adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs.
- Adverbs can also be used to modify adjectives and other adverbs.
- [The adverb reasonably modifies the adjective early.]
-
Using Varied Sentence Lengths and Styles
- A compound-complex sentence (or complex-compound sentence) consists of multiple independent clauses, at least one of which has at least one subordinate clause.
- They can, however, function as nouns, adjectives, or adverbs.
- Structural classifications for sentences include: simple sentences, compound sentences, complex sentences, and compound-complex sentences.
- A compound-complex sentence (or complex-compound sentence) consists of multiple independent clauses, at least one of which has at least one subordinate clause.
- The fifth sentence is compound.
-
Hyphens
- Hyphens are often used to connect adverbs and adjectives when describing a noun.
- Hyphens can be used to combine an adverb and adjective to describe a noun.
- In this situation, the adverb is describing the adjective, and the adjective is describing the noun.
- If the adverb and adjective come after the noun being described, a hyphen is not needed.
- Remember that using hyphens to combine adverbs and adjectives in this way creates a new word.
-
Introduction to Inflection
- You also might need to change some adjectives based on the grammatical context of the rest of your sentence.
- For example, if you’re trying to compare how sunny today’s weather is to yesterday’s weather, you would change the adjective “sunny” to “sunnier”: “Today is sunnier than yesterday.”
- Inflecting adverbs is very similar to how you change adjectives.
-
Misplaced and Dangling Modifiers
- Two common types of modifiers are the adverb (a word that describes an adjective, a verb, or another adverb) and the adjective (a word that describes a noun or pronoun).
- However, though all adjectives and adverbs are modifiers, not all modifiers are adjectives and adverbs.
- Above all, it should always be clear to the reader which word an adjective, adverb, or modifying phrase is describing.
- By paying attention to placement and making sure that if you want to modify a verb you use an adverb instead of an adjective, you will make it much easier for your reader to pick up on your intended meaning.
-
Pronouns as Subjects and Objects
- Possessive adjectives show ownership.
- Possessive adjectives are my, your, his, her, its, our, and their.
- For example, when paired with the noun school in a sentence, his becomes a possessive adjective.
-
Results
- Avoid adjectives and adverbs; instead use nouns and verbs.