Compound nouns – verbs + preposition

A A large number of compound nouns are based on phrasal verbs.

In sections A to E you will see a number of examples of such nouns in context. The meaning of the compound nouns is indicated in brackets at the end of the sentence. To form the plural, ‘s’ added to the end, e.g. pin-ups.

B Nouns based on phrasal verbs often have an informal feel to them and they are particularly common in newspaper reporting. Here are examples of such nouns in use.

In response to the pay offer, there was a walk-out at the factory.

(strike)

There is going to be a crackdown on public spending.

(action against)

There has been a break-out from the local prison.

(escape)

Last month saw a tremendous shake-up in personnel.

(change)

I never expected the break-up of the USSR.

(collapse)

C A number of these nouns have economic associations.

The takeover of one of our leading hotel chains has just been announced. (purchase by another company) We’re trying to find some new outlets for our products. (places to sell)

Take your things to the check-out to pay for them. (cash-desk)

Cutbacks will be essential until the recession is over. (reductions)

We made a profit of RM1000 on a turnover of RM10,000. (money passing through a company)

D Some of these nouns are associated with technology and other aspects of contemporary life.

What the computer produces depends on the quality of the input (information that is put in)

Output has increased thanks to new technology. (production)

We have a rather rapid staff turnover. (change) Just after leaving school he went through the stage of being a dropout. (person who rejects society)

It will be a long time before the consequences of fallout from Chernobyl are no longer felt. (radioactive dust in the atmosphere)

I can easily get you a printout of the latest figures. (paper on which computer information has been printed) A breakthrough has been made in AIDS research. (important discovery)

E Some of the words can be used in more general circumstances.

Many of the problems were caused by a breakdown in communications. (failure)

The outlook for tomorrow is good - sunny in most places. (prospect) There are drawbacks as well as advantages to every situation. (negative aspect)

The outcome of the situation was not very satisfactory. (conclusion)

TV companies always welcome feedback from viewers. (comments)

It was clear from the outset that the set-up would cause problems. (start; situation) We parked in a lay-by on the bypass. (parking space at side of a road; road avoiding the centre of a town)

The outbreak of war surprised them. (start of something unpleasant, e.g. disease, violence)