Using adjectives like "big", "easy", and "expensive" to describe nouns is quite easy, with the adjective usually being either after the "be" verb to describe the subject ("the house is big") or in front of the noun that it describes ("it was an easy test").
However, when we use nouns to describe other nouns, it can be more challenging. In this lesson, we'll look at the most common and useful ways that nouns describe other nouns.
Possession using an apostrophe and "s" (ex. the dog's name)
When two nouns are together and the first noun has an apostrophe with "s", this indicates that the first noun possesses the second noun, such as when I say "the dog's name is Bingo". The apostrophe and "s" are used when you are focused on one specific case. In this example, you are focused only on the case of Bingo and his name. This specific dog possesses this specific name so we can say "the dog's name...."
The examples below are using an apostrophe and "s" to focus on one specific case of possession:
Nike's logo (Nike possesses the logo)
Japan's Prime Minister (Japan possesses the Prime Minister)
the building's entrance (this specific building possesses the entrance)
my wife's parents (my wife possesses her parents)
Notice that when this form is used, the real noun that you are talking about is second. In the examples above, you are actually talking about a logo, a Prime Minister, an entrance, and parents.
Inverting the Words By Using "of" (ex. "the name of the dog")
You can use "of" if you invert the two nouns related to possession, so now the real noun that you are actually talking about is first and the noun that possesses it is second (after "of"). Therefore, it's also acceptable to say: "the name of the dog is Bingo". In the example below, the actual noun being focused on (logo, Prime Minister, entrance, and parents) is first, before the preposition "of":
the logo of Nike
the Prime Minister of Japan
The entrance of the building
The parents of my wife
Using a Noun to Describe the Type of Other Noun (ex. dog names)
We do not use the apostrophe with "s" when we are using the first noun to describe the general category of the second noun. For example, if I am thinking of getting a dog and I want ideas for names, I can go online and search "dog names". In this case, the name is not related to a specific dog - it is describing what category of names I want. The word "dog" answers the question "what category of names am I looking for?" I could also research "cat names", "boy names", or "girl names" depending on whether I am getting a cat, or having a child.
When describing a category of noun, the first noun answers the question "what category of (second) noun is it?" The actual noun that you are talking about is second.
a car engine (what category of engine is it? a car engine)
a family business (what category of business is it? a family business)
a wine bottle (what category of bottle is it? a wine bottle)
a staff party (what category of party is it? a staff party)
Hollywood movies (what category of movies are they? Hollywood movies)
dog food (what category of food is it? dog food)
Removing “s” on Nouns
As you know, adjectives in English never use a plural form with “s”, even when the main noun is plural. For example, if you are talking about three gifts, the adjective “expensive” does not become plural: “three expensives gifts”. is incorrect and "three expensive gifts" is correct.
The same is true when a noun is in the adjective position to describe another noun – the describing noun does not become plural: “two university tests”. Even if a number is related to the describing noun, there is still no “s” on the describing noun.
For example, if you write a test that has fifty questions on it, the words “fifty questions” can become the describing noun (like an adjective) to describe the main noun “test”. However, "fifty questions" cannot be plural if it is a describing nouns, so it must change to “a fifty-question test.”
In the examples below, the describing noun is not plural even though it has a number attached to it. You can see that we often use a hyphen (-) to put two separate words into one describing noun, such as “fifty-question”.
I’m staying at a five-star hotel. – it is incorrect to say “a five stars hotel”
I only have a ten-dollar bill remaining. – it is incorrect to say “a ten dollars bill”
It was a five-day trip. – it is incorrect to say “a five days trip”
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Practice Choose the correct order of words below. There are two options for each sentence. Remember that if "of" is not used, then the describing noun should be first and the actual noun that you are talking about should be second. On the other hand, if "of" is used, then the actual noun should be first, before "of", and the describing noun should be second, after "of":
I need to put up a backyard fence/fence backyard to protect my property.
I bought a guide travel/travel guide to use while I'm on my trip.
We played a poker of game/game of poker together.
I received your invitation wedding/wedding invitation in the mail.
We want to project an image of professionalism/professionalism of image to our clients.
The face soap/soap face that I bought has really helped my complexion.
My friend brought a karaoke machine/machine karaoke to the party, which was really fun.
There is a corruption of problem/problem of corruption in our country.
Choose the correct answer. Try to determine if an apostrophe should be used or not. Choose the correct answer from the two options provided.
A community's center/community center will usually offer swimming lessons to local residents.
My neighbor's dog/neighbor dog is very friendly to me.
Companies care a lot about customers' feedback/customer feedback nowadays.
Phone's cameras/Phone cameras are getting more impressive every year.
Sweden's flag/Sweden flag is blue and yellow.
Humans' rights/Human rights must be protected at all cost.
The waiter's face/waiter face looked familiar so I asked him if we had met before somewhere.
Pilot's error/Pilot error can be almost completely eliminated through the use of technology in planes.
Choose the correct answer from the two options below:
My only cousin is a 15-year-old/15-years-old girl.
I have to give a twenty-minutes/twenty-minute presentation at work tomorrow.
It's only a ten-kilometers/ten-kilometer trip from my home to the office.
Moving this table is a four-person/four-people job.
Lionel Messi had a three-goal/three-goals game last night.
Answers
Part One:
I need to put up a backyard fence to protect my property.
I bought a travel guide to use while I'm on my trip.
We played a game of poker together.
I received your wedding invitation in the mail.
We want to project an image of professionalism to our clients.
The face soap that I bought has really helped my complexion.
My friend brought a karaoke machine to the party, which was really fun.
There is a problem of corruption in our country.
Part Two:
A community center will usually offer swimming lessons to local residents.
My neighbor's dog is very friendly to me.
Companies care a lot about customer feedback nowadays.
Phone cameras are getting more impressive every year.
Sweden's flag is blue and yellow.
Human rights must be protected at all cost.
The waiter's face looked familiar so I asked him if we had met before somewhere.
Pilot error can be almost completely eliminated through the use of technology in planes.
Part Three:
My only cousin is a 15-year-old girl.
I have to give a twenty-minute presentation at work tomorrow.
It's only a ten-kilometer trip from my home to the office.
Moving this table is a four-person job.
Lionel Messi had a three-goal game last night.