How to use hyphens - English grammar lessons

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Hyphens should be used to link the words in compound adjectives. (A compound adjective is one that comprises more than one word; e.g. "ten-storey building" or "never-to-be-forgotten experience".)

ADJECTIVE?

An adjective is a describing word (e.g. "red","big", "beautiful", "contagious"). (See lesson "Adjectives".)

COMPOUND ADJECTIVE

A single adjective made up of two or more words is called a "compound adjective". The words in a compound adjective are linked together by a hyphen (or hyphens) to show that they are part of the same adjective.

three-page document (< "three-page" is a compound adjective)

ironing-board cover (< "ironing-board" is a compound adjective)

1. The easiest compound adjectives to spot are the ones which include numbers.

Examples:

Two-seater aircraft

4-bedroom house

	[picture 1] [picture 2]

Three stone weakling

(should be "Three-stone")

15-page document

2.    Not all compound adjectives include numbers. Often, a compound adjective comprises words that would not normally be joined together with a hyphen.

Examples:
The double glazing is leaking. Can you call that double-glazing salesman?
       ("double-glazing" describes "salesman")
You call this silver service? She's not a trained silver-service waitress.
       ("silver-service" describes "waitress")
[picture 1] [picture 2]

Carl is far too chatty. Philip is another far-too-chatty individual.
       ("far-too-chatty" describes "individual")
It's true! The board outside the cafe read, "All-day breakfast 0830-1030."
       ("All-day" describes breakfast)
That was a never-to-be-forgotten experience. ^{(Mini Test)}

MORE THAN ONE ADJECTIVE OR A COMPOUND ADJECTIVE?

Do not be tempted to string all adjectives together with hyphens. It is common to use more than one adjective to describe something. When you use 2 or more adjectives to describe one thing, it is called "enumeration of adjectives". (This is covered in more detail in the lesson "Commas".)

A big maroon car

(2 adjectives: "big" and "maroon")

She is an intelligent articulate lady.

(2 adjectives: "intelligent" and "articulate")

HOW TO SPOT A COMPOUND ADJECTIVE

Put "and" between the adjectives. If there is no loss of meaning, then you are very likely to be dealing with several adjectives, as opposed to a compound adjective.

step 1 large proud rooster step 2 large and proud rooster

Although different in style, there is no loss of meaning. This is an example of two adjectives; no hyphen required.

step 1 free range rooster step 2 free and range rooster

In this example, there is a change in meaning. The rooster is not "free" and what is a "range rooster"? This is a compound adjective and should be written as "free-range rooster".

step 1 first aid post step 2 first and aid post

Although "aid post" is okay, there is a change in meaning with "first post". This should be written as "first-aid post"

James is a second rate plumber. ^{(Mini Test)}

ADVERBS WITH ADJECTIVES

Adjectives are often preceded by adverbs like "very", "well", "beautifully", "extremely", etc. (See lesson "Adverbs".) Usually, there is no need to link an adverb to an adjective using a hyphen.

Example:

Young Paula is a very talented student.

(As "very" is an adverb, it should not be linked to the adjective
"talented" with a hyphen.)

Linking an adverb like "very", "most" or "least" to an adjective with a hyphen is an uncommon error. However, when an adverb ends in "ly" (and lots do), some writers feel the urge to link it to the adjective with a hyphen - there is no need.

It was a wonderfully-decorated tree.

(The adverb "wonderfully" modifies the adjective "decorated",
but there is no need to join the two with a hyphen.)

However, with words like "well", "fast" and "best" (which are both adjectives and adverbs), a hyphen can be used to avoid ambiguity.

Alan is the best-known player on the pitch.
(In this example, Alan is known better than any other player.)

Alan is the best known player on the pitch.
(In this example, Alan could be the best player of all the known
players on the pitch.)

(This is covered in the lesson "Adjectives" and the lesson "Adverbs".)

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Compound adjectives (see Section 1 above) can be written using capital letters, italics and quotation marks.

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

)

	[picture]

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. ^{(Mini Test)}

You should visit the Médecins Sans Frontières offices in Paris
and pick up an application form. ^{(Mini Test)}

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For things that are described using two words (e.g. cooking-oil), there is sometimes a requirement to use a hyphen to eliminate ambiguity.

COMPOUND NOUN

A single noun that comprises two or more words is called a "compound noun". Sometimes the words in a compound noun are joined together by a hyphen or hyphens. (e.g. water-bottle) (See lesson "Nouns" for more information.)

1. There are no specific rules about how to form a compound noun. "Ink-well" can be also be written "ink well" or "inkwell", and all are correct spellings. However, you should use a hyphen to eliminate any ambiguity. Ambiguity is particularly prevalent when the first word of the pairing is a substance (like "water" or "ink").

Examples:
water-bottle / water bottle
      (When the first word is a substance, a hyphen is used to show that the item is
       not made of that substance.)
ice-axe / ice axe
       (Both are acceptable, but "ice-axe" makes it clear that the axe is not made of ice.)
paper-clip / paper clip / paperclip
      (All 3 are acceptable. However, if the clip were made of paper, then only
      "paper clip" could be used.)
Please could you pass me that plastic wire-fastener? ^{(Mini Test)}

2.    There is also some ambiguity when the first word of the pairing ends "ing". (This is called a present participle. See lesson "Verbs" for more information.)

Examples:
changing-room / changing room
      (Both are acceptable, but "changing-room" makes it clear that the room is not
       changing.)
laughing-gas / laughing gas
      (Both are acceptable, but "laughing-gas" makes it clear that the gas is not
       laughing.)

NOT ALL HAVE A ONE-WORD VERSION

Be aware that not all compound nouns have a one-word version. Even though "inkwell" and "paperclip" are fine, "iceaxe" and "waterbottle" are spelling mistakes. There are no rules governing this; you have to know. Try one:

Claire's uncle used to be a glassblower. ^{(Mini Test)}

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A prefix is a half word (e.g. anti- , ex- , post- , pre-) that is placed before a word to modify its meaning.

1. There is often confusion about when a hyphen should be used with a prefix. Unfortunately, there are no specific rules governing this, and a definitive list of the prefixed words acceptable without hyphens is yet to be compiled.

Examples:

Prehistoric

/ pre-historic

("Prehistoric" is so widely used that "pre-historic" is now considered wrong.)

ultraviolet

/ ultra-violet

(Most prefixed words exist in both forms.)

The attack would take place at night as the anti-government troops did not
possess infrared goggles.

      (You can often choose when to use a hyphen in a prefixed word. In this example,
       the writer did not like the look of "antigovernment" or "infra-red" and so chose
       the versions above.)

GOOD NEWS

It is very likely that, in the beginning, all prefixed words had hyphens. However, over time, some hyphens in words have disappeared, whilst others have not. For most prefixed words, both versions exist (e.g. post-natal and postnatal). If you are unsure, then use a hyphen. The hyphen version is very likely to be acceptable.

Other common prefixes are:

ante- (before)	ex- (former)	pre- (before)
anti- (against)	infra- (below)	pro- (for)
contra- (opposite to)	post- (after)	ultra- (above)

2. When names or titles (with capital letters) are prefixed, the prefix is usually written with a lowercase letter and a hyphen.

I am aware that ex-Bishop Zoric, who was pro-Nazi, was still teaching in the
post-World War II era.

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