alternatives to hyphens in compound adjectives

Compound adjectives can be written using capital letters, italics and quotation marks (as well as hyphens).

1. Although hyphens are most commonly used to link the parts of a compound adjective together, it can also be done with title case (use of capital letters), italics, quotation marks or a combination of these.

Examples:

Anna gave George her "don't you dare" look.
(The compound adjective could have been written as: don't-you-dare. However, for style purposes, the writer chose to group the elements of the
adjective using quotation marks.)

The actions are in accordance with Dayton Peace Accord regulations.
(When titles are used as adjectives, it is more appropriate to use title case to
group the adjective together.)

It is an exclusive restaurant with an à la carte menu.
(When foreign terms are used as an adjective, they are often grouped
using italics.)

Darren ordered a pair of Phantom of the Opera tickets.

(combination of italics and title case)

Adam will be carrying a "United Colors of Benetton" bag.
(combination of quotation marks and title case)

JUST THE ADJECTIVE

It is a mistake to join the adjective and whatever is being described with a hyphen.

It is a 26-storey-hotel in Riga.

(26-storey hotel

)

should be "30-year sentence"
(magazine article)

In the same way, it is a mistake to include the thing being described within the quotation marks, the italics or the title.

The United Arab Emirates Spokesman stood up and left.
(There should be a small "s" on "Spokesman".)

She has got amazing "come to bed eyes".
(The second quotation mark should be after "bed".)

It is the only bona fide cure on the market.
(The word "cure" should not be in italics.)

As far as I am concerned, you can tell the House of Lords representative whatever you like.

You should visit the Médecins Sans Frontières offices in Paris and pick up an application form.

Associated lessons:

What are adjectives?
What are compound adjectives?
Hyphens in compound adjectives
Hyphens in compound nouns
Hyphens in prefixes

yours and ours