Noun as Adjective | English Grammar

Nouns as Adjectives

Many nouns in English can function as adjectives. However, the dictionary will list them only as nouns. Sometimes these “adjective-nouns” are also accompanied by a number. Always use the singular form of the noun when it modifies another noun.

·         Always use a hyphen in the number-noun combination.

·         Follow this formula for writing “adjective-nouns:  number-singular noun as adjective + noun

Jerry’s new ten-speed bicycle helps him move quickly through traffic.

My mother has just bought a 50-piece set of china.

EXERCISE:

Rewrite each sentence, using numbers and “adjective-nouns.” Eliminate all unnecessary words.

Example: Adam needs to buy six stamps worth twenty-five cents.

Adam needs to buy six twenty-five-cent stamps.

1.    Ivan has just bought a station wagon that has five doors.

2.    My cousin likes that lovely gray purse with four compartments.

3.    Our new computer has a hard drive of 9.6 gigabytes.

4.    There is a new television in the lobby that has a screen that is 30 inches wide.

5.    Sherry likes her new stereo with its four speakers.

6.    When we went on vacation, we took a cooler that had a capacity of 80 quarts.

7.    The Empire State Building is a structure with 92 stories.

8.    Can you change this bill worth $20?

9.    In our English class last week, we had to write a composition of 250 words.

10. We took a trip across America that lasted ten weeks.

11. To get to Gastonia from here, you need to drive for six hours.

12. Angela was very upset because she had spilled a can that contained five gallons of olive oil.

13. For her dress, Susie needs three yards of material that is 60 inches wide.

14. Tom has just bought a bedroom set that has five pieces.

15. Eva lives in a house that has a garage for two cars.

16. Barbara made a new winter coat with five buttons.

17. Paul’s new bicycle has five speeds.

18. Monty repairs cars, so he bought a tool set that contains 125 pieces.

19. We need an extension cord that is nine feet long.

20. My new camp light needs a battery that has nine volts.

ANSWER KEY:

1.    Ivan has just bought a five-door station wagon.

2.    My cousin likes that lovely gray four-compartment purse.

3.    We have a new 9.6-GB computer.

4.    There is a new 30-inch-screen television in the lobby.

5.    Sherry likes her new four-speaker stereo.

6.    When we went on vacation we took an 80-quart cooler.

7.    The Empire State Building is a 92-story structure.

8.    Can you change this $20 bill.

9.    In our English class last week, we had to write a 250-word composition.

10. We took a 10-week trip across America.

11. Gastonia is six-hour drive from here.

12. Angela was very upset because she had spilled a five-gallon can of olive oil.

13. Susie needs three yards of 60-inch material for her dress.

14. Tom has just bought a five-piece bedroom set.

15. Eva lives in a house with a two-car garage.

16. Barbara made a new five-button winter coat.

17. Paul has a new five-speed bicycle.

18. Monty repairs cars, so he bought a 125-piece tool set.

19. We need a nine-foot extension cord.

20. My new camp light needs a nine-volt battery.