American English -- Compound Nouns -- Page 4

Explanation and Discussion In American English Compound Nouns are sometimes hyphenated and sometimes not. No real rules exist but some trends do. Below I have some of the major groups of words and their generalities.

Over Words Compound nouns ending in "over" are typically solid. For Example:
carryover changeover crossover hangover holdover layover leftover pushover
rollover slipover spillover stopover strikeover takeover turnover walkover

However with these exceptions
going-over once-over voice-over

Back Words Compound nouns ending in "back" are typically solid. For Example:
buyback callback comeback drawback fallback feedback kickback setback snapback throwback tieback



Away Words Compound nouns ending in "away" are typically solid. For Example:
breakaway getaway hideaway layaway runaway stowaway straightaway throwaway

On to Page 5        Back to Page 3     Back to Clear English Choices    Back to Home Page