ADJ + Noun or Noun + Noun

[Ngaphamthu]

Please explain the complex issue for me.
I really don't understand when adj + noun and when noun + noun.

[Mister Micawber]

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We'll need some examples of what troubles you, ngaphamthu. Generally, the items are just a part of the vocabulary. Train station is a noun-noun compound (the first noun serves as an adjective), while electric train is an adjective-noun construction.
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Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's

[Ngaphamthu]

Here are some examples:
1. "Mark Kantrowitz, the publisher of FinAid.com, an informational Web site ..."

( From" For Resourceful Students, the Internet Is a Key to Scholarships" by Katy McLaughlin)

While: "Asians are finding that even children who attend the very best public schools lack the creative skills to compete in a new, challenging information economy"

(From" Cramming. Bullies. Rote lessons. East Asian's schools are failing their students")

2. Hisoshi Yoshimoto, a director in the education reform division of Japan's Education Ministry,....

Why is it not "Educational Ministry"???

(From" Cramming. Bullies. Rote lessons. East Asian's schools are failing their students")

[Mister Micawber]

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1. "Mark Kantrowitz, the publisher of FinAid.com, an informational Web site ..." -- an informational website is one which the speaker finds contains valuable information; an information website is one whose stated purpose is the supply of information.

"Asians are finding that even children who attend the very best public schools lack the creative skills to compete in a new, challenging information economy"-- An information economy is one whose nature and purpose is the distribution of information (here, 'IT').

2. Hisoshi Yoshimoto, a director in the education reform division of Japan's Education Ministry,... An Education Ministry is one whose purpose is the supervision and regulation of education; an educational ministry would be one whose operations were interesting and educational for those who observe it.


Generally, the adjective modifies the noun in the eyes and mind of the beholder, while the noun-as-adjective modifies the basic nature of the noun itself.

A burn center (at a hospital) vs a burning center
A statistics analysis (= an analysis of Statistics) vs a statistical analysis
Ministry talks (talks by the ministries) vs ministerial talks (talks at the ministry level)

I suppose,however, that there are many cases in which the choice is historical, as the meanings of the two options approach equivalence.
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Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's

[Ngaphamthu]

Oh!
now I understand it.
Thank you very much...