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Edwardp Posted 15 years ago
Grammar

Proper Noun/Adjective

I work in a 24 hour business where we refer to each shift individually: grave shift, day shift and swing shift. There has been some internal discussion regarding how to proper reference each shift.

Some refer to each shift as an entire proper noun. For example "Dayshift". Others refer to "Day" as an adjective but capitalize it as if it is a proper adjective: "Day shift". My opinion is that "shift" should be separated from grave, day or swing treating it as a noun and grave, day or swing as a common adjective.

If anyone could shed some light on this it would be greatly appreciated.

Regards,

-ep
  

Top answer

edwardp grave shift, day shift and swing shift It's exactly as you wrote it at the beginning of your question. Separate words. No capitals.

— CalifJim

  • edwardp grave shift, day shift and swing shift It's exactly as you wrote it at the beginning of your question.
  • Separate words.
  • No capitals.
  • " So even Google doesn't like you spelling these as single compound words.
  • By the way, day, swing, and grave are nouns, not adjectives.
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3 Answers
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edwardpgrave shift, day shift and swing shift
It's exactly as you wrote it at the beginning of your question. Separate words. No capitals.

Try to Google "swingshift", for example, and the Google system will ask, "Did you mean 'swing shift'?" So even Google doesn't like you spelling these as single compound words.

By the way, day, swing,
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That clarifies things. Thank you for your help.

-ep
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but isn't day shift used as an adjective in this sentence:
The day shift workers hadn't heard about the trouble at the factory.
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