When to use attributive nouns vs. deverbal adjectives
I'm not sure if I have the title correct, but I am trying to figure out how to determine whether to use a noun form as an adjective or a verb form as an adjective.
For example:
1) Is it an extension leg or an extending leg?
2) Is it a stabilization wing or a stabilizing wing?
Is this a case-by-case thing? Does it depend upon context? I'm hoping somebody can point me in the right direction. Thanks!
grammar usage
edited 10 mins ago
sumelic
49.2k8116223
asked 8 hours ago
etisdaleetisdale
62
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etisdale is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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I'm not sure if I have the title correct, but I am trying to figure out how to determine whether to use a noun form as an adjective or a verb form as an adjective.
For example:
1) Is it an extension leg or an extending leg?
2) Is it a stabilization wing or a stabilizing wing?
Is this a case-by-case thing? Does it depend upon context? I'm hoping somebody can point me in the right direction. Thanks!
grammar usage
edited 10 mins ago
sumelic
49.2k8116223
asked 8 hours ago
etisdaleetisdale
62
New contributor
etisdale is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
An extending leg can be made longer; an extension leg sounds as though it supports an extension of a table or similar. I'm not sure about the wing.
– Kate Bunting
8 hours ago
Thanks Kate. From your answer, I realized that "extension leg" fits better with my original concept of an extension of a leg. Another description for "extending leg" might be a telescoping leg. This would be a different thing. Perhaps the second example is the better one to focus on because I am trying to figure out a general principle for using a noun (e.g., stabilization) as an adjective vs. a verb (e.g., stabilizing). I don't think the second example has the same caveat.
– etisdale
8 hours ago
Stabilization wing would be a part that always serves the purpose of stabilizing. That is it is sole or primary function within a machine. A stabilizing wing could be ANY part serves to stabilize. It wasn't necessarily designed that way.
– Karlomanio
8 hours ago
add a comment |
I'm not sure if I have the title correct, but I am trying to figure out how to determine whether to use a noun form as an adjective or a verb form as an adjective.
For example:
1) Is it an extension leg or an extending leg?
2) Is it a stabilization wing or a stabilizing wing?
Is this a case-by-case thing? Does it depend upon context? I'm hoping somebody can point me in the right direction. Thanks!
grammar usage
edited 10 mins ago
sumelic
49.2k8116223
asked 8 hours ago
etisdaleetisdale
62
New contributor
etisdale is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
I'm not sure if I have the title correct, but I am trying to figure out how to determine whether to use a noun form as an adjective or a verb form as an adjective.
For example:
1) Is it an extension leg or an extending leg?
2) Is it a stabilization wing or a stabilizing wing?
Is this a case-by-case thing? Does it depend upon context? I'm hoping somebody can point me in the right direction. Thanks!
grammar usage
grammar usage
edited 10 mins ago
sumelic
49.2k8116223
asked 8 hours ago
etisdaleetisdale
62
New contributor
etisdale is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
edited 10 mins ago
sumelic
49.2k8116223
asked 8 hours ago
etisdaleetisdale
62
New contributor
etisdale is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
edited 10 mins ago
sumelic
49.2k8116223
edited 10 mins ago
sumelic
49.2k8116223
edited 10 mins ago
sumelic
49.2k8116223
49.2k8116223
asked 8 hours ago
etisdaleetisdale
62
New contributor
etisdale is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked 8 hours ago
etisdaleetisdale
62
asked 8 hours ago
etisdaleetisdale
62
62
New contributor
etisdale is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
etisdale is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
etisdale is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
An extending leg can be made longer; an extension leg sounds as though it supports an extension of a table or similar. I'm not sure about the wing.
– Kate Bunting
8 hours ago
Thanks Kate. From your answer, I realized that "extension leg" fits better with my original concept of an extension of a leg. Another description for "extending leg" might be a telescoping leg. This would be a different thing. Perhaps the second example is the better one to focus on because I am trying to figure out a general principle for using a noun (e.g., stabilization) as an adjective vs. a verb (e.g., stabilizing). I don't think the second example has the same caveat.
– etisdale
8 hours ago
Stabilization wing would be a part that always serves the purpose of stabilizing. That is it is sole or primary function within a machine. A stabilizing wing could be ANY part serves to stabilize. It wasn't necessarily designed that way.
– Karlomanio
8 hours ago
add a comment |
An extending leg can be made longer; an extension leg sounds as though it supports an extension of a table or similar. I'm not sure about the wing.
– Kate Bunting
8 hours ago
Thanks Kate. From your answer, I realized that "extension leg" fits better with my original concept of an extension of a leg. Another description for "extending leg" might be a telescoping leg. This would be a different thing. Perhaps the second example is the better one to focus on because I am trying to figure out a general principle for using a noun (e.g., stabilization) as an adjective vs. a verb (e.g., stabilizing). I don't think the second example has the same caveat.
– etisdale
8 hours ago
Stabilization wing would be a part that always serves the purpose of stabilizing. That is it is sole or primary function within a machine. A stabilizing wing could be ANY part serves to stabilize. It wasn't necessarily designed that way.
– Karlomanio
8 hours ago
An extending leg can be made longer; an extension leg sounds as though it supports an extension of a table or similar. I'm not sure about the wing.
– Kate Bunting
8 hours ago
An extending leg can be made longer; an extension leg sounds as though it supports an extension of a table or similar. I'm not sure about the wing.
– Kate Bunting
8 hours ago
Thanks Kate. From your answer, I realized that "extension leg" fits better with my original concept of an extension of a leg. Another description for "extending leg" might be a telescoping leg. This would be a different thing. Perhaps the second example is the better one to focus on because I am trying to figure out a general principle for using a noun (e.g., stabilization) as an adjective vs. a verb (e.g., stabilizing). I don't think the second example has the same caveat.
– etisdale
8 hours ago
Thanks Kate. From your answer, I realized that "extension leg" fits better with my original concept of an extension of a leg. Another description for "extending leg" might be a telescoping leg. This would be a different thing. Perhaps the second example is the better one to focus on because I am trying to figure out a general principle for using a noun (e.g., stabilization) as an adjective vs. a verb (e.g., stabilizing). I don't think the second example has the same caveat.
– etisdale
8 hours ago
Stabilization wing would be a part that always serves the purpose of stabilizing. That is it is sole or primary function within a machine. A stabilizing wing could be ANY part serves to stabilize. It wasn't necessarily designed that way.
– Karlomanio
8 hours ago
Stabilization wing would be a part that always serves the purpose of stabilizing. That is it is sole or primary function within a machine. A stabilizing wing could be ANY part serves to stabilize. It wasn't necessarily designed that way.
– Karlomanio
8 hours ago
add a comment |
1 Answer
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As a technical translator, I can (almost) assure you this is a case-per-case issue.
In the case of the leg, "extendable" might be the best option (see "Extensible" vs. "extendible") to mean that it can be extended. "extension leg" sounds like a leg that provides an extension for something else, like "extension cord".
In the case of the wing, in technical English "stabilizer" tends to be the most usual form: "stabilizer wing".
Note: In my opinion, the title of your question would be more accurate if it said: "Attributive nouns vs deverbal adjectives".
answered 5 hours ago
GustavsonGustavson
2,0181613
Thanks. Makes sense - and subject of post changed accordingly.
– etisdale
44 mins ago
add a comment |
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1 Answer
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1 Answer
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active
oldest
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votes
As a technical translator, I can (almost) assure you this is a case-per-case issue.
In the case of the leg, "extendable" might be the best option (see "Extensible" vs. "extendible") to mean that it can be extended. "extension leg" sounds like a leg that provides an extension for something else, like "extension cord".
In the case of the wing, in technical English "stabilizer" tends to be the most usual form: "stabilizer wing".
Note: In my opinion, the title of your question would be more accurate if it said: "Attributive nouns vs deverbal adjectives".
answered 5 hours ago
GustavsonGustavson
2,0181613
Thanks. Makes sense - and subject of post changed accordingly.
– etisdale
44 mins ago
add a comment |
As a technical translator, I can (almost) assure you this is a case-per-case issue.
In the case of the leg, "extendable" might be the best option (see "Extensible" vs. "extendible") to mean that it can be extended. "extension leg" sounds like a leg that provides an extension for something else, like "extension cord".
In the case of the wing, in technical English "stabilizer" tends to be the most usual form: "stabilizer wing".
Note: In my opinion, the title of your question would be more accurate if it said: "Attributive nouns vs deverbal adjectives".
answered 5 hours ago
GustavsonGustavson
2,0181613
Thanks. Makes sense - and subject of post changed accordingly.
– etisdale
44 mins ago
add a comment |
As a technical translator, I can (almost) assure you this is a case-per-case issue.
In the case of the leg, "extendable" might be the best option (see "Extensible" vs. "extendible") to mean that it can be extended. "extension leg" sounds like a leg that provides an extension for something else, like "extension cord".
In the case of the wing, in technical English "stabilizer" tends to be the most usual form: "stabilizer wing".
Note: In my opinion, the title of your question would be more accurate if it said: "Attributive nouns vs deverbal adjectives".
answered 5 hours ago
GustavsonGustavson
2,0181613
As a technical translator, I can (almost) assure you this is a case-per-case issue.
In the case of the leg, "extendable" might be the best option (see "Extensible" vs. "extendible") to mean that it can be extended. "extension leg" sounds like a leg that provides an extension for something else, like "extension cord".
In the case of the wing, in technical English "stabilizer" tends to be the most usual form: "stabilizer wing".
Note: In my opinion, the title of your question would be more accurate if it said: "Attributive nouns vs deverbal adjectives".
answered 5 hours ago
GustavsonGustavson
2,0181613
answered 5 hours ago
GustavsonGustavson
2,0181613
answered 5 hours ago
GustavsonGustavson
2,0181613
answered 5 hours ago
GustavsonGustavson
2,0181613
2,0181613
Thanks. Makes sense - and subject of post changed accordingly.
– etisdale
44 mins ago
add a comment |
Thanks. Makes sense - and subject of post changed accordingly.
– etisdale
44 mins ago
Thanks. Makes sense - and subject of post changed accordingly.
– etisdale
44 mins ago
Thanks. Makes sense - and subject of post changed accordingly.
– etisdale
44 mins ago
add a comment |
etisdale is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
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etisdale is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
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An extending leg can be made longer; an extension leg sounds as though it supports an extension of a table or similar. I'm not sure about the wing.
– Kate Bunting
8 hours ago
Thanks Kate. From your answer, I realized that "extension leg" fits better with my original concept of an extension of a leg. Another description for "extending leg" might be a telescoping leg. This would be a different thing. Perhaps the second example is the better one to focus on because I am trying to figure out a general principle for using a noun (e.g., stabilization) as an adjective vs. a verb (e.g., stabilizing). I don't think the second example has the same caveat.
– etisdale
8 hours ago
Stabilization wing would be a part that always serves the purpose of stabilizing. That is it is sole or primary function within a machine. A stabilizing wing could be ANY part serves to stabilize. It wasn't necessarily designed that way.
– Karlomanio
8 hours ago