Using Plural Form of Compound Nouns

By: LUCILA O. MELLOMIDAT-III

Pronunciation Drill

family spoonfultomato commander-in-chief

Motivation

• How many write letters to their relatives and friends? What do you usually write about?

Listen as your classmate reads Shiela’s Letter. Will someone read it to class?

28 Mabini St.San Jose, Calbayog City

September 18, 1999 Dear Lorena,

Greetings from Calbayog City!I was very happy to receive your letter. Everything seems to be well for you and the rest of the family.My sister, Clara got married recently. The wedding party was held in the family garden. Music lends the occasion a festive mood. Many of our relatives and friend attended and wished my sister and new brother-in-law luck in married life.Father and mother both them a washing machine. My brother built a bookcase as his gift.

From my saving I bought and gave the couple a set of glassware. Of course, Sister Clara and Brother Franklin loved their gift.Next month we are going to visit them in their new home. They will have a house blessing. I wish you were here to share the joy of the event with us. Anyway, I hope to send you a picture of the wedding soon. You should see me in my pretty gown when I serve as the bridesmaid.Goodbye for now. Give your family my sincere regards.

Lovingly,Shiela

• How well did you listen? What is Shiela’s letter all about? Can you give the following nouns used in a letter?

Notice the underlined words. How many words do you find in brother-in-law? In bridesmaid?

a. I have a new brother-in-law. I have two brothers-in-law.

b. The bride had only one bridesmaid. The bride has three bridesmaids.

What kind of nouns are the underlined words?How do they form their plural?

Fixing Skills

Write the plural form of the following nouns. a. mouse trap

b. daughter-in-law c. point of view

• How do compound nouns form their plural? Can you state in your own words, what you

observed?

Complete the dialogues with the plural form of compound nouns from the box. The first done for you.

Houseguest proofreader cupful editor-in-chief eggyolksaleslady stepladder storekeeper bedsheet son-in-law

1. Father: Ismael, have you seen any of the stepladders? I need one to climb the rooftop of the barn.

Ismael: Yes, I have, father. I saw it in the backyard underneath the mango tree. 2. Mother: Aminah, prepare the bedroom for our _______. Aminah: Will two pillow and two blankets, do mother? Mother: Fine. But make sure to change the bedsheet. The ______ are in the big

trunk. Aminah: Yes, I will mother.

Give the missing form of each compound noun.

Singular Plural

1. Teacher-in-charge __________2. _______________ Editors-in-chief3. _______________ Stepladders

Evaluation  Read the selection below. Then, On a piece of paper, make a list of at least (10) singular compound nouns. Opposite each noun, write its plural form.

A Farmhouse Party 

Yesterdays, party was at Mr. Figuera’s Farmhouse. Mr. Figuera is my sister’s father-in-law. The party was held to benefit the children’s health in the barrio. The town Mayor was the guest of honor. Everyone helped. The neighbor’s tables and benches were used.My sister’s mother-in-law cooked pork and chicken adobo. This recipe was a big hit. Mang Beny sent over a special dish from his famous food center in the town. Aling Maris vegetable salad was crisp and delicious. Aling Nena’s rice cake and pancit were among the children’s favorite choices. after the party, lunch, parlor games sponsored by the barangay captain followed.What fun we all had! The visitors and guests congratulated the chairperson of the activity. Who was no other than my sister’s husband or my own brother-in-law.

Example:

Farmhouse – Farmhouses

Assignment

  Use the following plural compound nouns in to meaningful sentences.

a. bed sheets b. stepladders c. fathers-in-law d. godparents e. editors-in-chief