Download 21f SPELLING

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Page 263
What are compound words?
21g
Homonyms and other frequently confused words
(continued)
■
THEIR
THERE
THEY’RE
■
TO
TOO
TWO
■
WAIST
WASTE
possessive form of they
in that place
contraction of they are
toward
also; indicates degree (too much)
number following one
midsection of the body
discarded material [noun]; to squander, to fail to use up
[verb]
■
WEATHER
WHETHER
■
WHERE
WERE
■
WHOSE
WHO’S
■
YOUR
YOU’RE
YORE
climatic condition
if, when alternatives are expressed or implied
in which place
past tense of be
possessive form of who
contraction for who is
possessive form of you
contraction for you are
long past
21g What are compound words?
A compound word puts together two or more words to express one
concept.
Open compound words remain as separate words, such as decision
making, problem solving, and editor in chief.
Hyphenated compound words use a hyphen between the words, such
as trade-in, fuel-efficient, and tax-sheltered. For punctuation advice
about hyphens, see 28i.
Closed compound words appear as one word, such as proofread, citywide, and workweek.
The history of compound terms that end up as single words usually starts
with the compound as two words, and then moves to a hyphenated compound. To check whether a compound term consists of closed, hyphenated,
or open words, consult an up-to-date dictionary.
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