Learn English – Why “an awards winning” isn’t a proper word

phrase-usage

So, we were given this question in our exam and we were supposed to choose the word or phrase that was incorrect in the sentence,

The latest edition of an awards winning student newspaper has been scrapped after a threat of legal action.

Options were,

a) latest
b) an
c) awards winning
d) scrapped

My question simply is this that suppose some student won more than one awards then shouldn't it be "awards winning student"? If not then why? Anyone who can tell what rule is followed here?

Best Answer

This pattern:

{noun} + -ing form of the verb

used adjectivally, has {noun} in the singular:

beer-drinking buddy

wood-eating insect

tree-climbing vine

award-winning film

risk-taking venture

penny-pinching miser

ear-piercing shriek

flesh-eating tiger

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