Use hyphens in compound adjectives

Key Notes:

Definition of Compound Adjectives:

• A compound adjective is formed when two or more words are combined to modify a noun. For example, “high-speed” and “well-known.”

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Purpose of Hyphens:

• Hyphens are used in compound adjectives to clarify meaning and ensure that the reader understands that the words are connected in describing the noun.

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When to Use Hyphens:

• Before Nouns: Use hyphens when the compound adjective precedes the noun it modifies.
  • Example: “a well-balanced diet”
• Avoiding Ambiguity: Hyphens help avoid confusion. For example, “small-scale” clarifies that something is not large in scale, whereas “small scale” could imply a tiny measurement scale.

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Common Compound Adjectives:

• Examples include:
  • “blue-green” (color)
  • “sugar-free” (food products)
  • “long-term” (duration)
  • “old-fashioned” (style)

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Exceptions:

• Do not use hyphens with adverbs that end in -ly. For example, “quickly growing” does not use a hyphen because “quickly” modifies “growing.”
• Example: “an open-ended question” but “a rapidly growing trend.”

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Compound Nouns vs. Adjectives:

• Compound nouns are not hyphenated in the same way as compound adjectives. For instance, “toothpaste” is a compound noun, while “tooth-brushing” is a compound adjective.

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Using Hyphens for Clarity:

• When combining words that could create confusion without hyphens, use them for clarity.
• Example: “small-business owner” clarifies that the owner runs a small business, as opposed to “small business owner” which could mislead about the size.