RELATIVE PRONOUNS - WHO WHOM WHOSE & WHICH -- Concept Explained with Examples and Exercises

 

 A RELATIVE PRONOUN  is a pronoun that describes a Noun or Pronoun immediately preceding it. It is, in a way, a pronoun used to describe a Noun or a Pronoun. 

The term 'relative' implies relation. It means 'the relative pronoun' relates the noun or pronoun prior to it to the remaining part of the sentence describing it.

A relative pronoun acts not only as a pronoun but also as a conjunction because it works to join parts of a sentence or two sentences; as

I like playing football. It is my hobby. 

I like playing football which is my hobby. 

The Relative Pronouns are - Who in Subject case, Whom in Object case and Whose in Possessive case. All of these three relative pronouns are used in case of living things.

For example:

He is the man who stole my purse.

In this sentence 'He' is Subject and 'is'  verb. 

In fact the main sentence is --  ...the man......stole my purse. Here 'who' is used to give details of the man. It is describing the noun 'man'. Here 'the man' is in subject case. So the relative pronoun 'who' used in its place is also in subject case. 

In other words the relative pronoun 'who' is used in Subject case. 

Following examples elicit this fact further.

He is the boy who stood first in the class. 

In this sentence, ' He is the boy' is a complete part of the sentence. 

'.....the boy .....stood first in the class' is other part of the sentence. Both the parts of the sentence give complete meaning and sense. The relative pronoun 'who' joins these two parts and describes the noun 'the boy' further. As the boy is in subject case, so 'who' is also in subject case. 

The person who met you in the market is my friend.

In this sentence the parts of the sentence are 'The person ...met you in the market..' and 'The person...... is my friend.' The relative pronoun 'who' joins these parts and describes further the noun immediately preceding it 'the person'. Thus it makes the sense and meaning of the sentence  complete. The noun 'the person' is in subject case so 'who' used in its place is also in subject case.

He is the boy whom I like very much.

The two parts in this sentence are - He is the boy ......I like whom  very much. But whom is shifted from its place and is used to connect  two parts of the sentence. If answer to the word 'whom' is sought it will be 'him' i.e. I like him very much. Here 'him' is in objective case. Simi;arly  'Whom' too is in objective case.

So the relative pronoun 'whom' is used in objective case.

The boy whom you met in the market is my friend.

The two parts of the sentence are --

"The boy ..... is my friend" and "you met whom in the market". 

The relative pronoun 'whom' is used to connect these two parts. Here too the answer to the question in part second is 'you met 'him' in the market'. Here 'him' is in object case so 'whom' is also a relative pronoun in object case.

In certain cases the relative pronoun in object case is preceded by a preposition. For example:

To whom was she married? 

By whom is this picture painted?

These senetnces are in interrogative form. 

If these are changed into their affirmative form, these will be:

She was married to whom.....(i.e. him)

This picture is painted by whom.....(i.e. him)

and whom will be substituted by an object like 'him'. 

She was married to him.

This picture is painted by him.

The relative pronoun 'whom' therefore  is in objective case.

When the subject of a verb is a Relative Pronoun, the verb is used agreeing in number and person with the Antecedent of the relative pronoun: as, 

I who am (not is) your friend will stand by you through

thick and thin.

This is one of the best books that have (not has) ever appeared. 

(It is because subject in this sentence is 'books' and not 'one'.

The relative pronoun 'Whose' is used for persons in possessive case. 

For example :

The boy whose purse he stole is my friend.

In this sentence the relative pronoun'whose' is used to join two sentences - The boy ... is my friend. He stole....(his) purse.

The word required to substitute 'whose' is 'his' which is in possessive case. Therefore 'whose' too is a relative pronoun in possesive case.

The boy whose father is a doctor is my friend.

The two parts of the sentence, 'The boy ....is my friend.' and  '....father is a doctor' are joined by the relative pronoun in possessive case 'whose'. If  'whose' is substituted, it will be by a pronoun in place of 'the boy'  'his' i.e. 'he' used in possessive case.

It is wrong to use whose for animals or non living things; as,

The dog the colour of which (not whose colour) is white is mine.

The table, the leg of which (not whose leg) was broken has been got repaired.

'Who' is a relative pronoun in subject case, 'whom' a relative pronoun in object case and 'whose'  is a relative pronoun in possessive case.   

These three pronouns are also used as Interrogative Pronouns. 

For example :

Who stole your book?

Whom do you like?

Whose book is this?

 

In this case the sentence always ends with a question mark(?).

Relative Pronoun 'Which' is used with animals and things. 

For example:

The pen which you see on the  table is mine.

The dog which she purchased yesterday is white.

Relative Pronoun 'Which' is used for making choice out of many things, animals or persons.

For example:

I told him which of the two books I read.

Of all the colours which she likes is green.

I am in a fix which of the gifts to choose.

'Which' is used for persons if a choice is to be made from a number of persons.

I donot know which of these boys is her brother.

Relative Pronoun 'that' is used with a person or a thing

-- Superlative degree i.e. with a specific or a particular thing.

For example:  

He will select the way that he considers the best..

 

This is the best gift that I have ever received.

She purchased the purse that was the costliest.

 'That' is used with certain words as;

Following words take 'that' as relative pronoun with them.

All, any, alone, anything, none, nothing, nobody, same. such, only, everything, much, little, few.

For example:

He is the only person that can save you.

This is all that I had to say.

I paid him the little that I had.

There was none that could explain it. 

He spent everything that he earned.

Relative Pronoun 'that' is used if  person and animal or  thing are referred to in a sentence together.

For example

The jockey and the horse that won the race both will be rewarded.

The man and the car that you saw have since left.

In a sentence with two parts, if the Subject is followed by a relative pronoun, there is no need to add another subject to its second part because the relative pronoun covers that part 

also as ;

The boy who stood first in the class, he will be honoured in the annual function.

In this sentence the relative pronoun 'who' covers both parts of the sentence and the subject 'he' is superfluous here. It will be as;

The boy who stood first in the class will be honoured in the annual function.

Use of That and What

'That" is used as a Relative pronoun, Conjunction and Adjective as;

1. This is the picture that he wants. (Relative Pronoun)

There is a noun before the relative pronoun 'that'.

2. He thinks that he will succeed.

'That', a conjunction, joins two clauses in the sentence.

3. That house is mine.

'That' an adjective describes a noun 'house'.

Both 'That' and 'What' are used as a relative pronoun.

The relative pronoun 'That'  takes a noun before it whereas 'what' is used in the absence of a noun as;

The book that I need is not available in the market.

This is the book that I wanted.

She achieved what she desired in her life. 

I heard carefully all that she spoke.

He will provide all that you need.

(In these sentences, 'all' is a pronoun and 'that' is a relative pronoun. 'That she spoke' and 'all that you need,' a phrase, is acting as an object.)

What she spoke was not audible to me.

What you need will be provided to you.

(In these two sentences 'what you need' and 'what she spoke' (a phrase,) are acting as Subject.)

(Noun+that= what)

Here follow some exercises for practice.

EXERCISE

ONE

Fill in the blank with a suitable relative pronoun in it.

 (using who, whom,whose, which,that)

1. The necklace .......... she lost was made of gold.

2. She is the lady ..........son is a doctor.

3. This is the house........my brother has purchased.

4. He is the person ........ the committe appointed chairman.

5. Nobody likes a person........is lazy.

6. He is not the person.......you can trust upon.

7. She is such a lady ........can deceive you anytime.

8. I donot like the person......accompanies her.

9. He ........lent you a book is known to me.

10. Such persons always decieve those .......trust on them.

TWO

Fill in the blank with a suitable relative pronoun in it.

(using who,whom, whose,which,that)

1. She saw people and animals ......were roaming in the fair. 

2. They rescued the fishermen ....... were stranded in the storm.

3. Do you know the man........you have lent your book?

4. The person ......is standing on the stage is a famous singer.

5.  The oldman........ is wearing a turban is an economist.

6. He ......works hard is sure to succeed in life.

7. He is the same boy ............came to my house yesterday.

8. Where is the employee ........ watch has been solen?

9. Here is the boy......the teacher caught stealing books.

10. The teacher caught the boy ........was stealing books.

ANSWERS

ONE

1.that 2. whose 3. that 4. whom5.who 6. that 7. that 8.who 9.who 10.who

TWO 

1.that 2. that3.whom 4. that 5. that 6. who 7. that 8. whose 9. whom10. who

THREE

Complete the following sentences by using an appropriate relative pronoun out of the given options.

1. You.........(who*/that) are rich should come forward and help the people ............(which/whom*) you can.

2. They.......(who/that*) are wise always behave humbly with others.........(who/whom*) they meet.

3. People......(that*/who) are not true to their word are not respected by those among............(who/whom*) they live.

4. The boy and the car .........(that*/which) were hit by a speeding vehicle are safe in a house........(which*/that) is located nearby.

5. He is one of the ablest students ..........(that*/which) I have ever seen1. in my teaching career..........(which*/that) spanned over ten years.

FOUR 

Out of the following sentences find out the correct one

ONE

1.Children who live in villages are deprived of opportunities of higher education which those which live in cities have.

2.Children who live in villages are deprived of opportunities of higher education whom those which live in cities have.

3.Children which live in villages are deprived of opportunities of higher education whom those who live in cities have.

4.Children who live in villages are deprived of opportunities of higher education which those who live in cities have.

TWO

1. A youngman , who married a girl, which he loved, against the wishes of his parents who did not like her,  had to leave his parents' house.

2. A youngman, that married a girl, who he loved, against the wishes of his parents which did not like her, had to leave his parents' house.

3. A youngman who married a girl, whom he loved, against the wishes of his parents who did not like her, had to leave his parents' house.

4. A youngman, who married a girl, that he loved, against the wishes of his parents who did not like her, had to leave his parents' house.

THREE

1.It is an institution which is nestled in  Sahyadrihills and that is the first of its kind that imparts training to cadets who would be future officers of Army, Airforce and Navy. 

2.It is an institution which is nestled in  Sahyadrihills and that is the first of its kind that imparts training to cadets whom would be future officers of Army, Airforce and Navy. 

 3.It is an institution which is nestled in  Sahyadrihills and that is the first of its kind that imparts training to cadets which would be future officers of Army, Airforce and Navy. 

4. It is an institution who is nestled in  Sahyadrihills and  is the first of its kind that imparts training to cadets which would be future officers of Army, Airforce and Navy. 

FOUR

1.He  which finds my purse who I purchased yesterday will get all the money which I had kept in that

2. He who finds my purse which I purchased yesterday will get all the money that I had kept in that.

3. He which finds my purse who I purchased yesterday will get all the money that I had kept in that.

4. He who finds my purse who I purchased yesterday will get all the money that I had kept in that.

My boss,who joined the office recently, is looking for a house which should be not only spacious but also located in the nearby vicinity.

Error Spotting (Assorted Sentences - Errors of different types)- COMPETITIVE EXAMINATION PATTERN QUESTIONS SENTENCES

ERROR SPOTTING - Assorted Sentences --Competition Examination Questions.

In competition examinations, sentences are given with errors of different types viz. Subject -Verb combination,  use of Adjective -Adverb or Phrasal verbs etc. These errors are  to be identified or rectified. Some sentences of these types are given hereunder for practice.    

 EXERCISE  ONE

In the following sentences find out error and mark the part a,b c and d accordingly. If there is no error in the sentence mark part e.

 1.Happiness is one of the human emotions that produces  positive harmones in the body which are necessary for good health. 

(a) Happiness is one of 

(b) the human emotions that produces

 (c)  positive harmones in the body 

(d) which are necessary for good health.

 (e) No Error.

(Answer: (b) ' .....human emotions that produce...')

2. In case it rained in torrents and the playing ground was flooded with rain water, both the teams decided to stop playing and  abandon the match.

(a) In case it rained in torrents and the

(b) playing ground was flooded with rain

(c) water, both the teams decided to stop 

(d) playing and abandon the match.

(Answer:( a) As it rained....)

3. Finally he got the most deserved promotion in order that he has a good technical knowledge in his field and he performs his duty sincerely.

(a) Finally he got the most deserved 

(b) promotion in order that he has 

(c)a good technical knowledge in his 

(d)field and he performs his duty sincerely.

(Answer: (b) ..promotion because he has...)

4, After a prolonged discussion with all the members, the committee allowed the visitors park their vehicles in the parking area.

(a) After a prolonged discussion

 (b) with all the members, 

(c)the committee allowed the visitors

(d) park their vehicles in the parking area. 

(e) No Error

(Answers: (d) ' Allowed ..to park or parking)

5. The government is planning to ban construction of higher than three - storeys buldings as this city falls in the area prone to seismic disturbances.

(a) The government is planning to ban

(b) construction of higher than three - storeys 

(c)buldings as this city falls in the

(d) area prone to seismic disturbances.

(Answer: (b) three -storey)

6. The sight of the mountain with  twinkling lights on it fascinate the tourists looking at it from a hill on the opposite side.

(a) The sight of the mountain 

(b) with  twinkling lights  on it

(c) fascinate the tourists looking 

(d)at it from a hill on the opposite side.

(Answers: (c) In this sentence subject 'sight' is singular accordinhly its verb too should be singular 'fascinates'.) 

7. I endeavoured hard to search some sympathetic faces in the crowd gathered around me in the hall from whom I could get some appreciation but there was none. 

(a) I endeavoured hard to search some sympathetic 

(b) faces in the crowd gathered around me

(c) in the hall from whom I could get 

(d) some appreciation but there was none. 

(Answer: (d) 'None' relates to 'sympathetic faces'. verb required here is plural verb 'were'.)

8. Although among different mode of expression, a language is considered the most suitable one for human beings yet sometimes silence too expresses more than a language. 

(a) Although among different mode of 

(b) expression, a language is considered 

(c) the most suitable one for human beings yet 

(d) sometimes silence too expresses more than a language. 

(Answers: (a) 'different modes')

9. We should avoid driving at night because it is very risky as though professional drivers even commit mistakes while driving at night.

(a) We should avoid driving at night

(b) because it is very risky as though 

(c) professional drivers even commit

(d) mistakes while driving at night.

(Answer: (b) though is superfluous here. )

10. The show was delayed a little as the chief guest arrived late at the venue but entering to the hall was allowed half an hour prior to the scheduled time.

(a) The show was delayed a little as the

(b) chief guest arrived late at the venue

(c) but entering to the hall was allowed

(d) half an hour prior to the scheduled time.

(Answer: (c) 'enter' is z verb and 'entry ' is a noun and 'entering' a participle is also a noun. But here a real noun 'entry' is required.)

EXERCISE  TWO

Following parts a,b,c,d forming a complete sentence may contain an error in any of these. Identify and find out the error and mark the relative part accordingly.If there is no error in the sentence mark part e.

1. 

(a) The new model of this mobile phone may 

(b) likely be available in the market during the month

(c) of December this year and it will cost much

(d) higher than the cost of the present model.

(e) No Error. 

(Answer: (b)' The mobile phone....may be (or is likely to be ) available.

2. 

(a) As the little child sat down on 

(b)the ground to count his coins, a 

(c) five rupee coin slipped unnoticed from 

(d) his hand and went down the table.

(e) No Error.

(Answer : (c) 'Slipped' is a verb to describe it an adverb is required. It should be 'unnoticedly'.)

3. 

(a) Everyone member present in the meeting

(b) participated in the deliberations actively

(c) as everyone was interested to find

(d) out a favourable solution of the issue.

(e) No Error.

(Answer : (a) 'Everyone ' is a pronoun but to describe a Noun 'member' an adjective is required. It should be 'Every member..')

4.

 (a)  From the findings of the enquiry  it is

 (b)  revealed that the accused presented

 (c) a pure fabricated story 

(d) to cover his shortcomings,

(e) No Error.

( Answer : (a) 'story' is a noun , 'fabricated' its adjective and to describe it an adverb is required 'purely').

5. 

(a) She had hardly walked upto

(b) the threshold of the house 

(c) when telephone bell rang and she 

(d) had to return to attend to it.

(e) No Error.

(Answer: (a)' She had walked hardly upto........')

6. 

(a) The dinner party scheduled to 

(b) be hosted by the President on

(c) Sunday postponed to some future

(d) date due to unknown reasons. (e) No Error.

(Answer: (c) 'The meeting........was postponed......')

7. (a) The large expanse spread 

( b) all around us was studded 

(c) with colored flowers and it viewed 

 (d) decently to all of us. (e) No Error.

(Answer: (d) 'It' a pronoun, describes 'the large expanse' so to.describe it an adjective is required. Instead of ' decently' it should be 'decent'.)

8. (a) Men whom I believe 

(b) are instrumental in inspiring 

(c) people for doing good deeds 

(d) command a great respect in public. 

(e) No Error.

(Answer: (a) This sentence has three parts. 'I brlieve', ' Men ..command a great respect....' , ' whom are instrumental....' whom' qualifies 'Men' which is in subject case so instead of 'whom' its subject case 'who' is required. 

9. (a) The progress made by Indian space agencies 

(b) has not only acclaimed praise of the (c) world community but also make

 (d) it proud worldwide. (e) No Error.

(Answer: (c) In this sentence , 'the progress'

is Subject ' has' helping verb ' acclaimed' and 'make' are verb. Has covers both these verbs. With 'has' third form of verb is used. In place of ' make' It should be 'made'.)

Error Spotting (Assorted Sentences - Errors of different types)- COMPETITIVE EXAMINATION QUESTIONS PATTERN SENTENCES

 

                                           

ERROR SPOTTING --- Assorted Sentences -- on the pattern of Competition Examination Questions.

Here follow sentences containing errors. The part of the sentence containing an error needs to be identified and marked. 

EXERCISE  ONE

1. (A) Unemployment and Inflation  are (B) the two main problems that people(C) of the country is facing today and these need (D) to be controlled immediately by the  government.(E) No Error.

2.(A) We met a group of boys and girls (B) in the market who were collecting (C) funds from people to help (D) the  recent flood victims. (E) No Error.

3.(A) The Principal told (B) the student that he would be allowed (C) to appear in the examination only(D) if he pays his fee immediately. (E) No Error

4. (A) When I reached her house, (B) she was sitting in a chair (C) and take rest (D) after hard work of the day. (E) No Error

5. (A) The government alongwith  public (B) help groups is taking strenuous steps(C) to promote alternate enrgy sources but none section of the (D) society is showing its interest. (E)

6. (A) The present chairman (B) served this insitution (C)as its president (D) between 1999 and 2004. (E) No Error.

7. (A)  Hoarding of essential commodities by (B) traders  are the main cause of their (C) rising prices so the government should identify (D) these traders and take strict action against them.(E) No Error.

8. (A) Her brother is (B) the most talented (C) among all the other (D) employees in our office. (E) No Error.

9. (A)  He is the only person (B) who came to our rescue (C) and helped us when our family(D)  was faced financial difficulties.(E) No Error.

10. (A) Having examined all the witnesses, (B) the panel will take about (C) a fortnight to arrive to (D)a final decision of the case.(E) No Error.

ANSWERS:

1. C. are in place of is 2. B. was in place of were 3. D paid in place of pays. 4. C. taking 5. C. No in place of none 6. D. from 7. B is in place of are 8. C. remove other, all the employees. 9. D. was facing 10. C. to arrive at.

EXERCISE  TWO

1. Abraham Lincoln fought against human slavery as he  believed that human soul is born free but why are human beings embodying it fettered everywhere in the world.

(a) Abraham Lincoln fought against human slavery 

(b) as he  believed that human soul is born free

(c)  but why are human beings embodying it

(d)  fettered everywhere in the world.

(e) No Error.

2. It is undoubetdly proved from the results of this year that our college is the most presitigious education institution of all those in the city. 

(a) It is undoubetdly proved 

(b)from the results of this year that ours 

(c) is the most presitigious education 

(d)institution of all those in the city.

(e) No Error

3. As the hostel building is being renovated, the college authorities will not let any student to stay in the hostel this year. 

(a)As the hostel building is being 

(b)renovated, the college authorities 

(c)will not let any student 

(d)to stay in the hostel this year. 

(e) No Error

4. Malaria is spreading fast in the area, the local authorities taking precautionary steps of its prevention have warned the public from its dangerous results. 

(a) Malaria is spreading fast in the area,

 (b) the local authorities taking precautionary  

(c) steps of its prevention have warned the 

(d)public from its dangerous results. 

(e) No Error

5. The parents are in a fix these days as they do not understand how can they arrange good education for their wards. 

(a) The parents are in a fix these days 

(b)as they do not understand

 (c)how can they arrange good 

(d) education for their wards. 

(e) No Error.

6. The ministry paid scantily attention towards upliftment of the poor and marginal farmers who suffered great losses due to heavy rains during last months.

(a)The ministry paid scantily attention 

(b)towards upliftment of the poor and

 (c) marginal farmers who suffered great

 (d) losses due to heavy rains during last months.

(e) No Error

7. Hardly the violent mob started rushing towards the market, when all the  shopkeepers shut their shops and disaappeared from the scene.

(a) Hardly the violent mob started 

(b)rushing towards the market, when all 

 (c) all the shopkeepers shut their shops

(d) and disappeared from the scene.

(e) No Error

8. Last Sunday when I was busy in making purchases in the mall someone has been picked my pocket and I was deprived of my all money.

(a) Last Sunday when I was (b) busy in making my purchases 

(c) in the mall someone has been picked my pocket

(d) and I was deprived of my all money.

(e) No Error

9. One of the well accepted belief among his pupils is that he expects sincerity and dedication towards duty from all of them. 

(a) One of the well accepted 

(b) belief among his pupils

 (c)is that he expects sincerity and dedication 

(d) towards duty from all of them. 

(e) No Error

10. Happinees and mirth prevaded in the gathering there so much that every man and every woman present there were overwhelmed with joy.

(a)Happinees and mirth 

(b)prevaded in the gathering there so much

(c)that every man and every woman present

(d)there were overwhelmed with joy. 

(e) No Error

1. Among all other things, a number of surprises is in the waiting for the members of the team and they all will be over-thrilled when they come to know about them.

(a). Among all other things, a number of surprises

(b). is in the waiting for the members of the team

 (c). and they all will be over-thrilled

 (d)when they come to know about them.

(e).No error

ANSWERS

1.  d.to park

 2. c.educational  

3. d.let....allow.   

4. d. public against its  

 5. c. how they can. 

6. a. scant attention. 

7. a. Hardly had ....started

 8. c. has picked 

9. b, beliefs in place of belief

10. d. was in place of were.

COMPOUND ADJECTIVE - CONCEPT, EXPLANATION WITH EXAMPLES. & EXERCISE --- EXAMINATION QUESTIONS

 

 COMPOUND ADJECTIVE 

A word that describes or qualifies a noun or a pronoun is called an adjective.  Generally it comprises of one word for example: 

This is a stone wall.

In this sentence 'stone' is an adjective qualifying the noun wall.

At times an adjective is formed of two or more than two words  for example:

This is a stone-walled building.

In this sentence 'stone-walled' is an adjective formed of two words stone and walled. It  qualifies the noun building. It is a compound adjective.

 COMPOUND ADJECTIVE --COMBINATIONS

A compound adjective is formed of two words of parts of speech like noun, adjective , adverb or present and past participles.

These are as follows.

NOUN and NOUN

In this way a teacher-student relationship is established.

In this sentence 'teacher-student' is a compound adjective qualifying the noun relationship.

Both 'teacher ' and 'student' are nouns.

NOUN  and ADJECTIVE

He takes sugar-free tea.

In this sentence, 'sugar-free' is a compound adjective qualifying the noun tea. 'Sugar' is a noun and 'free' is an adjective. 

These two words may change their positions, one may precede or follow the other.

ADJECTIVE and NOUN

The guests were accorded a 

red-carpet welcome.

In this case, 'red' is an adjective followed by a noun 'carpet'. 'Red-carpet' is a compound adjective qualifying the noun welcome.

NOUN and PARTICIPLE

They served us ice-cooled water. 

In this sentence 'ice' is a noun and  'cooled' is a past partciple. 'Ice-cooled' is a compound adjective qualifying the noun water. 

ADJECTIVE  and PARTICIPLE

She is proud of her good-looking appearance.

In this sentence 'good-looking' is a compound adjective qualifying the noun appearance. It consists of 'good' an adjective and 'looking' a present participle.

ADVERB and PARTICIPLE

A well-dressed man appeared on the stage.

In this sentence 'well- dressed' is a compound adjective and man is a noun. 'Well' is an adverb and 'dressed' is a past participle.

NUMBER and NOUN

One-time exercise.

It was an one-time exercise and they executed it very well.

NUMBER and PARTICIPLE

One-layered surface.

A one-layered surface of rubber sheet was spread.

NUMBER and ADVERB

Single-handedly accomplished job.

This car is a single-handedly driven.

NOTE: Sometimes both original part of speech or a participle can be used in a sentence. 

An original noun or a noun of participle both can be used. 

For example: 

Night-patrol/patrolling is urgently required  in this area. 

In this sentence both the types of nouns are correct.

Three word Compound Adjective Examples:

Door-to-door convassing, Man-to-man relationship, Nation-to-nation collaboration, well-to-do family, heart-to-heart conversation.

Generally, as a rule, in a compound adjective a hyphen is used between two words.

-- when the compound adjective is used before a noun or a pronoun but it is not used if it is used after the noun. For example

We visited a world - famous fort in the city.

This fort is world famous.

-- Compound adjectives with numbers contain hyphen for example -

Twentieth - century building, Second rate equipments.

But when the number is used at the second place, a hyphen is not used. For example - 

Type four flat, Category general, etc.

-- A compound adjective with superlative used before a noun or pronoun contains a hyphen but one used after these does not contain a hyphen. For example-

Worst-affected, low-priced.

--When an adjective starting with an adverb does not contain a hyphen. For example -

Thickly populated, Highly guarded.

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN COMPOUND ADJECTIVE AND SINGLE ADJECTIVE

A compound adjective and a single adjective both give different meanings. For example --

A black, haired animal and  A black-haired animal. 

These two words give two different meanings. 

In first case, "black" and "haired" both words  describe the noun animal.  In the second word, black describes hair and both "black" and "haired describe the noun animal. 

First means the animal is black and haired. The second means the animal is having black hair and is black-haired.  

EXERCISES

ONE

Make the Nouns using Compound Adjectives

1.A train that moves slowly........ 

2. A person with a strong will.......

3. An app that saves time...........

4. A child who looks innocent........

5. A lady with a kind heart..........

6. A man having long hair...........

7. A child having blue eyes.........

8. A food free from fat..........

9. An effect that lasts long........

10. A person with an open mind...........

( ANSWERS)

1. A slow-moving train.

2. A strong-willed person.

3. A time-saving app.

4. An innocent-looking child.

5. A kind hearted lady.

6. A long-haired man.

7. A blue-eyed child.

8. A fat-free food.

9. A long-lasting effect.

10. An open-minded person.

TWO

Identify the part of speech of the words of following Compound Adjectives.

1. An open-heart  

2. A five-star

3. A high-spirited

4. A thought-provoking

5. A far-reaching

6. A middle-aged

7. An English-speaking

8. A last-minute

9. A world- famous

10. An old-fashioned.

(ANSWERS -- 1. Adjective, Noun 2. Number, Noun 3. Adjective, Past- participle, 4. Adjective, Present- participle 5. Adjective, Present-participle 6. Adjective, Past-participle 7. Adjective, Present-participle 8.Adjective, Noun, 9. Noun-Adjective 10. Adjective,Past-participle )

THREE

Choose the appropriate option in the following sentences.

1. (1. Scant/ 2. scantily)-clad children were sitting on the foot-path.

2. System-(1.generated/2.generating) statements do not need signatures on them.

3. Mouth-(1.watering/2.watered ) delicacies were served in the party.

4. A (1.hot/2.heated ) water - bottle is required for the patient.

5. She brought for me hand-(1.picked/2. picking) berries from the field.

FOUR

Fill in the blanks in the following sentences with Compound adjectives formed with following given words.

( Well inform,  Heart break, Tight lip, Absent mind, Water log, Low lie, Hard earn, Red hand, Ever green, High guard )

1. The weapons were stored in a ............building.

2. The young man was .......... after his failure in business.

3. The audience appeared to be ............. about the issue.

4. The whole family was ........ about the incident.

5. The police caught the thief ............

6. The son wasted away his father's .......... money.

7. The gardener planted some ......... plants in the garden.

8. The .........areas of the city were filled with rain water.

9. The old man appears to be ..............

10. They pumped out water from the ........areas.

(ANSWERS 1. highly-guarded, 2. heart-broken, 3. well-informed, 4.tight-lipped, 5. red-handed, 6. hard-earned, 7. ever-green, 8. low-lying, 9. absent-minded, 10. water-logged)

 Identify Compound Adjectives in the following sentences.

FIVE

In the far-flung area of a less-known city, there lived a kind-hearted but strong-willed person. He belonged to a well-educated family. He was running his decades -old well-flourished family business in the city. He commanded a well -deserved respect among highly-dignified business men of the city. He had a long-cherished desire that his thirty-year-old convent-educated son too should join his business. He wanted whole-hearted involvement of his  well-brought up son in his  business. He had saved his hard- earned money to invest in the business for him. He also purchased a three-storeyed fully-furnished house for him.His son was not so business minded. He after his studies wanted to do a white-collar job in some well -reputed, multi-national company. He was fond of living an easy- going life. He wanted to enjoy all comforts of modern- style life. At the same time he had a heart-felt respect for his parents. He did not want to defy orders of his highly-respected father. He offered a well-thought plan to his father. He proposed that he would attend a one-year long task-oriented training-programme with a multinational company. Thereafter he will start with his father his own electronic chips-manufacturing company . His father readily agreed to his well-perceived proposal. Thus blew off the much-feared confrontation between the two.

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