Many common phrasal verbs are used in modified forms as compound nouns. These compound nouns usually have meanings related to their phrasal verbs but are treated as regular nouns. New phrasal verbs and new compound nouns are being added to English all the time; especially those related to the Internet. Remember that many phrasal verbs have more than one meaning, so the related compound noun might only apply to one of those meanings. Also, not every phrasal verb has a corresponding compound noun. 

 

Just as we create nouns from verbs …

➡ to walk » a walk

 

… we create compound nouns from phrasal verbs

➡ to drive through » a drive-through

 

To make a compound noun, we either hyphenate the phrasal verb or put the two words together. Phrasal verbs with -out and -over usually become one word as compound nouns. Phrasal verbs with -in, -up and less common particles are usually hyphenated to become compound nouns.

The plural is formed by adding -s to the end of the noun, not the verb. For example: break-ins, dropouts, rip-offs

 

Word Stress

In phrasal verbs, the preposition receives the word stress. But, when phrasal verbs are used in their compound noun form, the verb part of the phrase (the first part) receives the stress. In the examples below, the underlined syllable has the emphasis when speaking.

 

➡ Phrasal verb
take off = to depart (usually by plane)
The plane didn’t take off for almost an hour.

➡ Compound noun
takeoff = departure (usually by plane)
The flight’s takeoff was a little rocky.

 

Below are some common compound nouns derived from phrasal verbs, with their definitions and examples of their use as a phrasal verb and as a compound noun.

 

✅ breakdown - a mechanical or electronic failure, or a serious and sudden collapse in someone’s mental health.

Compound noun: I heard that he had a complete breakdown last year.

Phrasal verb: My car broke down on the way home from work.

 

✅ break-in - a forced entry into a building, car, computer system, etc., usually to steal something.

Compound noun: Did you hear about the break-in at the computer store?

Phrasal verb: Somebody broke in last night and stole a bunch of computers.

 

✅ carry-on - a bag or suitcase suitable for taking onto a plane as handheld luggage.

Compound noun: How many carry-ons are we allowed to take?

 Phrasal verb: We’ll have to carry on without Ben’s help since he’s sick at home and probably won’t be back until next week.
 

✅ drive-through - a place (usually a restaurant) where people can be served without leaving their cars.

Compound noun: Do you think that James would like to go to the drive- through and get a burger and fries for lunch?

Phrasal verb: Let’s drive through the new neighborhood so I can show you our new house.
 

✅ hang-up - an emotional problem or inhibition that bothers someone.

Compound noun: Louie has such a hang-up about his age.

Phrasal verb: She’s still hung up on her ex-boyfriend.

 

✅ hold-up - a situation that causes a delay, especially to a journey.

Compound noun: Sorry I’m late. There was a hold-up on the metro.

Phrasal verb: Sorry I’m late. I was held up in a meeting.

 

✅ leftovers - something, usually food, remaining after the rest has been eaten, used, or consumed.

Compound noun: Are we eating leftovers for dinner again?

Phrasal verb: There’s some food left over from the party last night. You should take it home with you; I won’t be able to eat it all.

 

✅ mix-up - a confusion of one thing with another or a misunderstanding or mistake that leads to a confusing situation. 

Compound noun: It was all a big mix-up. We’ll have everything back to normal tomorrow.

Phrasal verb: I mixed up a lot of the definitions on the test yesterday.

 

✅ set-up - the way in which something, especially an organization or equipment, is planned or arranged, a scheme or trick intended to incriminate or deceive someone.

Compound noun: What is the set-up going to be for the conference call this week?

Phrasal verb: How are you going to set the table arrangements up for the party?

 

✅ takeout - a meal that you buy in a restaurant and take to eat at home.

Compound noun: Are you in the mood to go to a restaurant for dinner or would you rather take out tonight?

Phrasal verb: I’m here to pick up some takeout. The order is under the name Johnson.

 

✅ workout - a session of physical exercise or training. Compound noun: There’s a new workout that I’ve been meaning to try.

Phrasal verb: I’m going to the gym to work out. I’ll be back in an hour. 

 

Write in the comments section sentences using compound nouns.

 

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