Hyphens in Compound Adjectives

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Hyphens in Compound Adjectives

• I have sent you a three-page summary.
(The words in the compound adjective "three-page" are linked with a hyphen to show they are part of the same adjective.)
• I have torn the ironing-board cover.
(The words in the compound adjective "ironing-board" are linked with a hyphen to show they are part of the same adjective.)

Compound Adjectives with Numbers

• Two-seater aircraft
• 4-bedroom house
• 45-minute journey
• 15-page document
• 5-and-a-half-year-old child
• Three stone weakling
("Three-stone" would be better.)

Compound Adjectives Without Numbers

• Philip is a far-too-chatty individual.
• That was a never-to-be-forgotten experience.
• James is a second rate plumber.
("Second-rate" would be better.)

• The double glazing is still leaking. Can you call that double-glazing salesman?
(The words "double glazing" only need a hyphen when they are functioning as an adjective. In this example, the first time they are used, they are not an adjective. The second time they are used, they are an adjective describing "salesman.")
• You call this silver service? She's not a trained silver-service waitress.
(The second time they are used, the words "silver service" describe "waitress." As they are a compound adjective, they are linked with a hyphen to show they are a single adjective.)

How To Spot a Compound Adjective

• I have a large proud rooster.
(Is this a compound adjective? Do I need a hyphen?)

Step 1	Look at your adjectives:	large proud rooster
Step 2	Put "and" between them:	large and proud rooster
Step 3	Check the new wording:	Although different in style, there is no loss of meaning. This is an example of two adjectives, not a compound adjective. Therefore, no hyphen is required. large proud rooster

• I have a free range rooster.
(Is this a compound adjective? Do I need a hyphen?)

Step 1	Look at your adjectives:	free range rooster
Step 2	Put "and" between them:	free and range rooster
Step 3	Check the new wording:	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. free-range rooster

• I worked at a first aid post.
(Is this a compound adjective? Do I need a hyphen?)

Step 1	Look at your adjectives:	first aid post
Step 2	Put "and" between them:	first and aid post
Step 3	Check the new wording:	Although "aid post" is okay, there is a change in meaning with "first post." This is a compound adjective. first-aid post

The Hyphen Might Be Essential

• a heavy-metal detector
• a heavy metal detector

Don't Confuse Adverbs with Adjectives with Compound Adjectives

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

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

• wonderfully-decorated tree
• classically-trained pianist
• happily-married couple

• 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.
(This example could be taken to mean the same as the one above or it could be taken to mean that Alan is the best player of all the known players on the pitch. The hyphen eliminates ambiguity.)