Noun as Adjective

Nouns as Adjective

Sometimes in the English language, a noun is used to describe another noun; in other words, the first noun performs the function of an adjective. Look at the following examples:

Basketball coach – here the noun basketball is being used to describe the noun coach

Garment shop – here the noun garment is being used to describe the noun shop

Painting exhibition – here the noun painting is being used to describe the nounexhibition

Note:

1. In general, like adjectives, nouns being used as adjectives are used in the singular form, although in the case of certain words, like clothes, customs, sports, etc, an exception is made.
2. Multiple nouns can also be used as adjectives, as in school cricket team coach.

Also see

Nouns

Collective Nouns

Possessive Nouns