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Compound adjectives are two or more words modifying a noun and
used as a single adjective. They are hyphenated when they precede
the noun, usually not hyphenated when they follow it. When adverbs
ending in "-ly" occur in such expressions, they are
not hyphenated. |
These three sentences are correct:
He is a well-known person.
He is well known.
He is a widely known person. |
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Few writers have difficulty with compound nouns, with compound
numbers, or with "self" as a prefix; each of these
regularly uses hyphens. But compound adjectives apparently cause
great consternation. |
The examples below are for your consideration. The first three
are fairly obvious, I hope. The last three are totally ambiguous;
that is to say, you will have to choose a meaning to get the
hyphenation right. |
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Much of the problem probably arises from faint knowledge of the
hyphen and its uses. It is a mechanical device, which joins words.
The hyphen is sometimes confused with the dash, which separates
words. The hyphen appears as a "-" with no spaces around
it. The dash can appear in many ways: "--" with no
spaces around it; "--" with spaces around it; "
- " with spaces around it. No matter how they appear, they
should look different, and you should keep the difference in
mind. |
- ...his date wore three quarter length gloves...
- ...eight two ounce bottles...
- ...two ton air cooled chiller...
- ...gave them twenty five dollar bills...
- ...erected a high school building...
- ...a detail of six foot policemen...
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==>Guidelines ==>Conventions
==>Problems