STRESS IN COMPOUND NOUNS

Is it a one-word
compound or are
there more words?

If it is a one-word If there are

compound... two nouns...

Check if it is one of
It's a single-stressed
the cases of single-
compound
stressed compounds

If not, check if it is
double-stressed.

Single stressed compound nouns (NOUN + NOUN)

1. CLASSIFIER: Type of (N1 delimits the meaning of N2: “what type of

thing”)
aˈlarm clock
single stress vs. double stress: different meanings
(surname) ˈfamily name ˌfamily ˈname (family reputation)
(where toys are made) ˈtoy factory ˌtoy ˈfactory (for a child to play with)
(shared phone line) ˈparty line ˌparty ˈline (political view)
(gynaecologist) ˈwoman doctor ˌwoman ˈdoctor (female doctor)

2. PURPOSE: 2 used for 1

ˈbookcase ˈhand cream ˈtea towel
ˈcredit card ˈpencil case
ˈeye drops ˈsunglasses

3. DOER OF THE ACTION

(N1 [DO] + N2 [VERB –er/-or])
ˈbus driver (animate)
ˈdish washer (inanimate)

4. INITIALS
ˈe-mail

1
Double stressed compound nouns (NOUN + NOUN)

1. PROPER NAMES
NAMES OF PEOPLE
ˌJames ˈBond
NAMES OF INSTITUTIONS, HOTELS AND RESTAURANTS
ˌEton ˈCollege
NAMES OF ROADS AND PUBLIC PLACES
ˌPiccadilly ˈCircus
• Exceptions: street, building, gate.
ˈOrange Street
ˌEmpire ˈState Building

2. PLACE (AND NATIONALITIES) OR TIME

(N1 denotes place or time)
ˌshop ˈwindow ˌground ˈfloor ˌWelsh ˈcake
ˌSunday ˈroast ˌfirst ˈfloor ˌEnglish ˈtea
ˌfront ˈdesk ˌIrish ˈstew ˌScottish
ˌBrussels ˌBritish ˈwhiskey
ˈsprouts ˈAirways

3. MATERIAL OR INGREDIENT
(N1 denotes material or ingredient)
ˌcotton ˈsocks ˌplastic ˈbag
ˌapple ˈpie ˌrubber ˈboots
• Exceptions (single stressed)
Juice: ˈorange juice
Cake: ˈchocolate cake
Bread: ˈbrown bread / ˈwholemeal bread / ˈrye bread
Water: ˈmineral water
Paper: ˈcarbon paper / ˈbrown paper / ˈtoilet paper / ˈtissue paper
Flakes: ˈcorn flakes / ˈsnow flakes
Milk: ˈcoconut milk

4. ABBREVIATIONS
ˌDVˈD
ˌUˈK

5. –ING + NOUNS
a- As gerund (Preposition phrase - single stressed):
ˈsleeping bag (a bag for sleeping in)
ˈrunning shoes (shoes for running)
b- As present participle:
ˌsleeping ˈchild (a child that is sleeping)
ˌrunning ˈwater (water that runs)