Can computer be used as an adjective
We were having this discussion in class....well more like my whole class trying to deny my logic but anyhow.
Can it be used as an adjective?
My case:
A computer desk costs $500.
In this scenario we have a word describing a noun, what type of desk is it, it's a computer desk. Some argued that it was a compound noun, sure 'computer desk' as a WHOLE is a compound noun, but if we look at the components that make it, it is unarguably an adjective + a noun which forms the compound noun. Others even tried to argue with me that you can't say computer window so it's wrong, right, like you can say adverbial window as well.
Your thoughts?
March 5, 2014
10 Comments • Newest first
[quote=LowWillpower]A computer window implies you can see directly through the computer through a window.[/quote]
Not necessarily, computer in this context is a word that describes (or "modifies" ) the word following it, the noun "window".
Thus it tells what type of window it is, or in this case where it is found.
The phrase " ... colonial house window ... " doesn't necessarily imply you can see THROUGH the house, only that it's a window in a colonial house.
Likewise there are plenty of "stained-glass windows" you can't see through. "Stained-glass" only describes what type of window it is.
Yep, computer-anything makes it an adjective.
Adjective: Word that describes a noun.
The Computer Table. What kind of table? Computer table. So yes, it can be used as an adjective.
Femputer, activate!
[quote=BobR]I have a computer window on the side of the computer on my computer desk. Lets me see all the expensive computer widgets and computer gizmos inside.[/quote]
Is that a computer window, or a computer case window?
A computer window implies you can see directly through the computer through a window.
[quote=MyTiramisu]Others even tried to argue with me that you can't say computer window so it's wrong ... [/quote]
I have a computer window on the side of the computer on my computer desk. Lets me see all the expensive computer widgets and computer gizmos inside.
[quote=ayashiboi]You are half right. Computer is a noun, and it can be used like an adjective.
For "a computer desk", the "computer" here serves as an adjunct noun, which is basically a noun modifying another noun. Adjunct nouns are similar to adjectives, but they are different.
Did a quick google and got a pretty good case between adjunct nouns vs adjectives:
"That is a fast computer" and "The computer is fast". Here "fast" can stand on it's own to create a complete and meaningful sentence
"That is a computer desk" and "The desk is computer". Here "computer" cannot stand on it's own and the sentence "The desk is computer" does not make sense.
Look up for Grammatical modifiers for more information [/quote]
Hmm interesting, what I also found was that there were different names for it such as noun premodifier, noun adjunct and converted adjective.
i wouldn't consider it as a compound noun, as those are words made up of two words [i]joined[/i] together. eg. fireworks, honeydew, headache.
You are half right. Computer is a noun, and it can be used like an adjective.
For "a computer desk", the "computer" here serves as an adjunct noun, which is basically a noun modifying another noun. Adjunct nouns are similar to adjectives, but they are different.
Did a quick google and got a pretty good case between adjunct nouns vs adjectives:
"That is a fast computer" and "The computer is fast". Here "fast" can stand on it's own to create a complete and meaningful sentence
"That is a computer desk" and "The desk is computer". Here "computer" cannot stand on it's own and the sentence "The desk is computer" does not make sense.
Look up for Grammatical modifiers for more information
I was taught that in the phrase "the book", "the" would be consider as adjective. With that said, I would think that "computer" is indeed an adjective.