Practice. 1 We use 's to express a relationship between a person or organisation and another person or thing

Noun combinations

1 We use 's to express a relationship between a person or organisation and another person or thing.

Mr Blake's secretary

her husband's car

BA's employees

Volvo's reputation

The 's very often means that the relationship can be expressed using have.

Mr Blake hasa secretary.

Volvo hasa reputation.

2 When two nouns are used together, the first noun functions as an adjective and describes the second noun.

a business card

a job description

an office complex

a travel agency

Sometimes three or more nouns occur together.

a company credit card (a credit card issued by a company)

a management training programme (a training programme designed for management)

3 Two nouns are joined by o f 'when the ideas are more abstract.

the cost of living

independenceof mind

the joy of working and lifelong learning

4 Some compound nouns are written as one word.

database

answerphone

letterhead

headquarters

5 When compound nouns are used with a number in expressions of measurement, the first noun is singular.

a six-lane motorway

a four-day week

Practice

Exercise 1