1. Nominal Groups & Compound Nouns Material Adicional Idiomas: Inglés Nominal Groups and Compound Nouns Source: http://www.market-leader.net/ - a look at this language point in a business context - why are these groups/phrases formed? - what are the rules (syntax) that govern them?

2. Nominal Groups & Compound Nouns COMPOUND NOUNS 1.Compounds are in common in business because they are shorter and more convenient than noun phrases. For example: an export licence rather than a licence to export a consumer protection law rather than a law for the protection of consumers 2. New compounds are formed all the time. There are no absolute rules about spelling. Sometimes they are two words (with or without a hyphen) and sometimes, when widely established, they become one. For example: data protection data-mining database

3. Nominal Groups & Compound Nouns NOMINAL GROUPS Longer noun phrases (or Nominal Groups) are also common. They may consist of adverbs, adjectives and compound nouns. The following patterns are typical: Adverb Adjective Noun / Gerund Head Noun increasingly difficult market conditions long-term marketing strategy expanding overseas sales

4. Nominal Groups & Compound Nouns The words in each of the nominal groups below are in the wrong order. Correct them using the table form the previous screen/page. 1. impressive figures sales really 2. department new public relations 3. highly research market ambitious programme 4. overseas expanding operations 5. rapidly sheet balance improving 6. extremely rate exchange volatile 7. highly marketing report confidential 8. successful incredibly fair trade

5. Nominal Groups & Compound Nouns The answers: 1. really impressive sales figures 2. new public relations department 3. highly ambitious market research programme 4. expanding overseas operations 5. rapidly improving balance sheet 6. extremely volatile exchange rate 7. highly confidential marketing report 8. incredibly successful trade fair

6. Nominal Groups & Compound Nouns Further links: http://www.learnenglish.de/grammar/nouncompound.htm http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nominal_group_(language) http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sintagma_nominal