Definition of compounding

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Could you please tell me if the defintion for the compounding process I provided below is written correctly in terms of grammar?

Compounding (also called composition) may be defined as a process whereby two or more lexical items (nouns, verbs, adjectives, or prepositions) are combined to form a new complex word. The product, traditionally called a compound, functions grammatically and semantically as a single unit.

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Type: Question • Score: 1 • Views: 1,414 • Replies: 19

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@Nat093,

Nat to me it sounds really well-writ. However, I've never heard it called "composition"

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@Nat093,

I like the definition, but I also have never heard that called composition. I looked composition up in Merriam Webster's online dictionary. Although, some of the definitions might seem to apply, I've never heard that term used in this sense. I have read at least 12 books on editing and many more on writing. I also studied four foreign languages and have a four-year degree in English from a university. I hope that helps lend some credence to my statement.

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@dupre,

Thanks Dup. By sheerest coincidence I've also worn out a couple of Webster's's; have never heard the term so used; had, well, one language (German, HS); got BS in Journ

Your credence exceeds mine by far

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@dalehileman,

You are very kind to say that.

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@dupre,

But, Pre, it's true
Except to the (nearly half) who seem terribly angry at all times about nearly everything. However I doubt if you've ever been their vict

Forgive pun
Best of everything forever

http://able2know.org/topic/359224-1

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@dalehileman,

I've been following that thread and find it most distasteful. I also believe that there still is a place for forums such as this. One can hardly reach out to one's friends and family on Facebook to discuss a wide variety of subjects in any detail.

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@dupre,

Quote:

and find it most distasteful

Bur Pre which part and in what way

Quote:

still is a place for forums such as this

Of course there is; don't remember saying there isn't

Quote:

One can hardly reach out...on Facebook... in any detail.

But why so

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@dalehileman,

I sympathize with you, but don't care to get involved not knowing all the details and not wanting to spend time reviewing them all.

Sorry.

I can only imagine your discomfort. I know I would be very unhappy.

I cannot offer anything more than that at this point.

I don't even have any advice, but did review your thread asking for some.

Thank you for reaching out to me to engage; however, this time, I must pass.

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@dupre,

Quote:

don't care to get involved ..I must pass

Quite okay Dup

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@dalehileman,

You really are quite kind!

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@dupre,

Not at all, Dup; but now let's hear from those apparently angry at all times about nearly everything

You presently #22

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@dalehileman,

I'm sorry. What does that mean? #22?

1 Reply

@dupre,

Quote:

#22?

http://able2know.org/topic/358635-3#post-6328106

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Thank you very much Smile

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@Nat093,

Why, not at all Nat

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As for the term 'composition', some morphologists do provide this term as an alternative to 'compounding', but I agree that it is much rarely used. I thought that it should mention about that as well.

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@Nat093,

And I want to say that

"Compounding (sometimes also called composition) may be defined as a process whereby two or more lexical items (including nouns, adjectives, verbs, and prepositions) are combined to form a new complex word. The/A product of this process is traditionally referred to as a compound. "

should I say "A product of this process", or "The product of this process"?

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@Nat093,

Nat093 wrote:

should I say "A product of this process", or "The product of this process"?

You started a new thread with this question, which has been answered.

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@dalehileman,

Dalehileman, I have doubts as to the use of the article 'the' before 'product' in my definition. By 'product' I mean a word produced through the process of compounding. Shouldn't I use "A product"? As in:

"Compounding (also called composition) may be defined as a process whereby two or more lexical items (nouns, verbs, adjectives, or prepositions) are combined to form a new complex word. A product, traditionally called a compound, functions grammatically and semantically as a single unit."

URL: http://able2know.org/topic/359223-1

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Definition of compounding

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