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what is compound word?
Compound words are formed when two or more words are put together to form a new word with a new meaning. They can function as different parts of speech, which can dictate what form the compound takes on.
For example, the word carry over is an open compound word when it’s used as a verb but it is closed when used as a noun and an a adjective.
Compound words are so prevalent in the English language we don’t think much about them – until it’s time to write them. Then we often have to stop and think about how they’re put together.
There are three forms of compound words:
  •     The closed form, in which the words are melded together, such as firefly, secondhand, softball, childlike, crosstown, redhead, keyboard, makeup, notebook;
  •     The hyphenated form, such as daughter-in-law, master-at-arms, over-the-counter, six-pack, six-year-old, mass-produced;
  •  The open form, such as post office, real estate, middle class, full moon, half sister, attorney general.


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