When is it appropriate to hyphenate a compound adjective?
To determine when it is appropriate to hyphenate a compound adjective, follow these guidelines:
1. Hyphenate compound adjectives that come before the noun they modify:
- Example: "five-year-old car" or "well-known author"
2. Hyphenate compound adjectives that include a number:
- Example: "two-thirds majority"
3. Hyphenate compound adjectives that consist of two or more words connected by "and" or "or":
- Example: "high-intensity workout" or "up-and-coming artist"
4. Hyphenate compound adjectives that describe a person's age:
- Example: "eight-year-old girl" or "middle-aged man"
5. Hyphenate compound adjectives that describe color, size, shape, or origin:
- Example: "deep-red roses" or "square-shaped box"
6. Hyphenate compound adjectives when omitting part of the compound word would cause confusion:
- Example: "pro-life organization" or "anti-government protest"
Remember that not all compound adjectives need to be hyphenated. If the meaning is clear without a hyphen, it is not necessary to include one.
Knowing these guidelines can help you determine when it is appropriate to use a hyphen in a compound adjective. However, it's always a good idea to consult a style guide or grammar reference to ensure consistency and adherence to specific rules, as they can vary slightly depending on the style used.
It is appropriate to hyphenate a compound adjective when it is used before a noun to modify or describe it. Here are three situations when you should hyphenate a compound adjective:
1. When the compound adjective comes before a noun: If the compound adjective is placed before a noun, it should be hyphenated. For example, "a long-term project" or "a well-known actor."
2. When the compound adjective consists of two or more words: If the compound adjective is made up of two or more words, it should be hyphenated. For example, "a state-of-the-art technology" or "a high-speed train."
3. When the compound adjective has words ending in -ly: If the compound adjective includes an adverb that ends in -ly, it should not be hyphenated. For example, "an easily accessible website" or "a highly skilled professional." However, if the compound adjective that includes -ly is not modifying a noun, then it is not hyphenated. For example, "This is a truly amazing experience."
Remember, the purpose of hyphenating compound adjectives is to make the meaning clear and avoid ambiguity. Consider the rules and guidelines above to determine when it is appropriate to hyphenate a compound adjective.