Fussy question for fellow grammarians

[vaneramos]

Is the phrase "used bookstore" acceptable by convention? Technically, the adjective modifies the wrong noun.

Comments

[eloquentwthrage.livejournal.com]

Technically, the phrase would be "used-book store." It's nit-picky, but technically correct. It would be spoken the same either way, so that is not really an issue. Or, one could say "a store that sells used book," depending on how important it is.

[poetbear.livejournal.com]

either way, it's clear what it means, and it's been
used that way for at least 30 years now.~paul

[blt4success66.livejournal.com]

I would agree with the above-mentioned comments.

[susandennis]

Technically that is not correct and I'm not buying the acceptable by convention. Around here it's used book store.

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

Thanks, Susan. That makes the most sense. I don't like to get lazy about details like that.

[ubermunkey.livejournal.com]

hey lets go have a coffee and discuss it more

be well