How to use plural nouns as adjectives
I'd already known that we can use "sports personnel", "sports vehicles" and so forth when I recently heard that it is possible to use "communications" in a similar way. I mean we can use "communications equipment" and "communications measures". The confusing part for me is there are some nouns that can act as adjectives in its singular form while other can be adjectives as plural nouns. After all, some of them can modify nouns either as a singular noun or a plural noun.
examples :-
communications equipment
sports personnel
communication measures / communications measures
Therefore, I would really appreciate it if someone could provide me with some advice how to use nouns as adjectives in a proper way. I mean, under such circumstance, sometimes, I face the dilemma of using singular or plural form of a noun. For example, I cannot distinguish the difference between "communication measures" and "communications measure".
Furthermore, is there grammar rules for such constructions?
Top answer
e. before another noun as a modifier). However, there are some exceptions, such as those you mention.
- e.
- before another noun as a modifier).
- However, there are some exceptions, such as those you mention.
- g.
- "arms control".
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Generally speaking, English is reluctant to use plural nouns attributively (i.e. before another noun as a modifier). However, there are some exceptions, such as those you mention. Another common one that is often cited is "arms", as in e.g. "arms control". The exceptions are, I think, mostly when a plural noun has gained some individual identity beyond just meaning several of the singular item
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