0
Hotmale Posted 12 years ago
Vocabulary

Lip(s) pursing

Hello,

what do you call what a baby does with his/her lips? Is it a "lip pursing" or "lips pursing"? Do I need the plural form?

"Babies purse their lips and wrinkle their brows when presented with problems that are confusing"

Thank you
  

Top answer

It would be "lip pursing" (or "lip-pursing"). Attributive nouns are almost always singular. This is normally uncountable so would not take the indefinite article.

— GPY

  • It would be "lip pursing" (or "lip-pursing").
  • Attributive nouns are almost always singular.
  • This is normally uncountable so would not take the indefinite article.
  • Alternatively, "pursing of the lips".
  • "purse their lips" in your sentence is correct.
Free · every Monday

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.

4 Answers
0
It would be "lip pursing" (or "lip-pursing"). Attributive nouns are almost always singular. This is normally uncountable so would not take the indefinite article. Alternatively, "pursing of the lips".

"purse their lips" in your sentence is correct.
0
0
I see. You say "attributive nouns are almost always singular". Is it also the case with "jaw clenching" and "eyebrow arching"?
Thank you for your answer, GPY.
0
0
HotmaleI see. You say "attributive nouns are almost always singular". Is it also the case with "jaw clenching" and "eyebrow arching"?
Right.
0

Related Questions