Nouns that function as adjectives... Nouns can function as adjectives: apple pie, state taxes, bicycle thief, shoe store, dining room chair, .... Recently an English language learner wrote: sadness city Of course, I changed it to "city of sadness". Of course, the language learner asked "WHY?" Of course, I couldn't explain why. So, I put together some other combinations: sorrow place, happiness hill, ... I changed them to: city of sadness, place of sorrow, hill of happiness.... better? Would you agree that nouns that refer to emotions usually sound a little awkward as adjectives?