Many intermediate level Esl students struggle with the possessive case when it is applied to objects possessing objects. For example we can say :
The book's cover is bound in fine leather. Or : The cover of the book is made of leather. In both cases, we are talking about the material characteristics of its cover.
We can also use a 2 noun + 1 noun construction: The book cover was well-designed.
The word book is generic, and can be used with many nouns to say what kind of book it is. Eg. Date book, Art book, Checkbook, Codebook or Cookbook
These are all compound nouns.
Compound word is made of two or more words that together express a single idea.
a. An open compound means that the words of the compound are written separately, (New Year’s Eve, credit card, sea salt).
b. A hyphenated compound separates the words by hyphen(s) (brother-in-law, high-maintenance, force-feed).
c. A solid compound is formed when the two words are written as one word (typewriter, breakfront, oatmeal). Solid compounds generally begin as two separate words, then start to be used as hyphenated words, and finally become solid compounds or permanent compounds, eg. Cookbook.
·o0o·
Cook the Books
Books, plural; used with 'the', refers to the accounting books (accounts receivable and accounts payable).
> a bound set of blank sheets for writing or keeping records in : an accounts book.
• ( books) a set of records or accounts : He can do more than balance the books.
• a bookmaker's record of bets accepted and money paid out. The slang for such a bookkeeper is 'bookie'.
• ( books) a set of records or accounts : He can do more than balance the books.
• a bookmaker's record of bets accepted and money paid out. The slang for such a bookkeeper is 'bookie'.
To cook the books means to create the appearance of earnings that really don't exist. A company is guilty of cooking the books when it knowingly includes incorrect information on its financial statements -- manipulating expenses and earnings to improve their earnings per share of stock (EPS).
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From Breaking Bad, Season 4x11 Crawl Space
Transcript
Skyler: $617,000 written out to me. Ah, what is this?
Ted: I can't take your money.
Skyler: Oh? And why is that?
Ted: Because at the end of the day, paying my debt with illicit gambling winnings...I don't know; it feels wrong.
Skyler: It feels wrong.
Ted: To me it does. I'm not judging you or Walt. I just don't feel comfortable with it.
Skyler: Well, um, Ted, the whole reason we're in this mess is because you had me cooking your books. So when did 'wrong' suddenly become a problem for you?
Ted: Now hold on, that was a one time measure I took in an honest attempt to protect my employees and save my dad's company.
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