Understanding the naming conventions for nonmetals in ionic compounds is essential for mastering chemical nomenclature. The base name of a nonmetal is the initial part of its name that remains unchanged when forming compounds. For example, the base names for some common nonmetals are as follows: hydrogen is referred to as hydro, boron as bor, carbon as carb, silicon as sila, nitrogen as nitro, phosphorus as phospha, oxygen as ox, sulfur as sulf, selenium as selin, and tellurium as taylor. The halogens, which include fluorine, chlorine, bromine, and iodine, have base names of fluor, chlor, brom, and iod, respectively.

When naming ionic compounds, if a polyatomic ion is present, it retains its name. For instance, if the compound contains a phosphate group, it is simply referred to as phosphate. This systematic approach to naming allows for clarity and consistency when identifying ionic compounds. By following these steps, one can accurately determine the names of various ionic compounds based on their constituent nonmetals and any polyatomic ions present.