Question 1

What are open, closed, and hyphenated compound nouns?

Accepted Answer

Closed compound nouns are written as one word, such as "weekend," "headache," and "feedback." Open compound nouns are written as two words, such as "bus stop," "post office," and "living room." Hyphenated compound nouns use hyphens, such as "mother-in-law" and "passer-by." All three types act as single nouns in meaning. The spelling pattern is not always predictable, so intermediate learners need regular exposure to common examples rather than relying on one simple rule for every answer choice in the set.

Question 2

Can one compound noun have two accepted spellings?

Accepted Answer

Yes, some compound nouns have more than one accepted spelling. In this exercise, "ice cream" is the main form, but "ice-cream" may also be accepted in some varieties or contexts. "Passer-by" can also appear as "passerby" in some dictionaries. When two spellings exist, one may be more common in British English, American English, or a particular style guide. For exam and classroom writing, follow the spelling taught in your materials and stay consistent across your answer sheet throughout the activity.

Question 3

Why is driving licence two words?

Accepted Answer

"Driving licence" is an open compound noun in British English. It names one document, but the accepted spelling keeps the two words separate. This is different from closed compounds such as "deadline" or "background," where the parts have joined into one word. English does not offer a simple test that decides every case, so the reliable approach is to learn common compounds as complete items. Notice that "licence" is the British noun spelling; "license" is also accepted in some contexts as an American spelling or as the verb.

Compound Nouns - Intermediate Exercises

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