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I'm sorry I couldn't word that better, the following example will hopefully clarify:

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As you can see, the teacher refered to the bank of words as "word bank", as opposed to "words bank". Which one is correct? If "words bank" is the only correct usage then wouldn't it be fair to say that the exercise was resolved perfectly?

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  • I do not understand your question.
    – tchrist ♦
    Commented Apr 21, 2013 at 19:19
  • the teacher used "word bank" instead of "words bank", is any of those incorrect in this context?
    – 0x6C38
    Commented Apr 21, 2013 at 19:24
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    Bank is not “a words”, so “words bank” is wrong. Why would you think otherwise?
    – tchrist ♦
    Commented Apr 21, 2013 at 19:26
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    because its a bank of words, not a bank of word
    – 0x6C38
    Commented Apr 21, 2013 at 19:28
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    Modifiers, whether noun or adjective, do not take plurals. Only head nouns take plurals. Thus, even though almost all customers will purchase two shoes at a time, the name of the store they buy them at is not a *Shoes Store, but rather a Shoe Store (Except in Penang, where I have seen a Shoes Store sign).
    – John Lawler
    Commented Apr 21, 2013 at 20:24

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You are actually asking two questions here, and 'No' is the answer to each of them. A bank containing words is properly referred to as a word bank not a *words bank, just as a place to park cars is a car park not a *cars park. What Emma appears to have ignored is the difference between using the word bank and mentioning it. If the exercise had said "use the word 'bank'"or "use the word bank" (which is the normal usage here), she would have been correct; but as it is 0/7 is the right mark.

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  • "If the exercise had said "use the word 'bank'"or "use the word bank" (which is the normal usage here)" You meant instead of?
    – 0x6C38
    Commented Apr 21, 2013 at 20:16
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    @MrD: No, you have missed the italics. Emma's mistake can be forgiven; yours, not so much.
    – Tim Lymington
    Commented Apr 21, 2013 at 20:20

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