When do you need to use a hyphen for compound words? (6th edition) (2024)

FAQs

When do you need to use a hyphen for compound words? (6th edition)? ›

General Principle 1 (from p. 98) says “If a compound adjective can be misread, use a hyphen.” But, the reverse is also true: If the compound adjective is clear as it stands, you do not need a hyphen.

Hyphens are often used when a compound modifies a noun (“sun-bleached curtains,” “fire-roasted tomatoes”) but not when -ly adverbs are used (“lightly salted peanuts”).

Hyphenated compound words are comprised of two or more individual words and are separated by a hyphen. Knowing when to add a hyphen can be tricky, but it's easier if you remember that a compound adjective, or a compound word that modifies a noun, is usually hyphenated.

If a noun + gerund compound noun is being used as a noun, no hyphen is needed: mountain climbing, mischief making. However, when being used adjectivally (i.e. to describe another noun), a hyphen must be used: mountain-climbing enthusiast, mischief-making child.

Compound Numbers (21–99)

Always hyphenate the numbers 21 to 99 when writing them out as words: I have twenty-one pairs of novelty socks. My grandma is sixty-seven years old.

Hyphens link elements of compound words as a phrase, but usually only when they are used before a noun as adjectives. Don't use hyphens when the phrase is after the noun in the sentence structure.

Most compound adjective rules are applicable only when the compound adjective precedes the term it modifies. If a compound adjective follows the term, do not use a hyphen, because relationships are sufficiently clear without one.

There are three different types of compound words in grammar: open compound words with spaces between the words (ice cream), closed compound words with no spaces (firefighter), and hyphenated compound words (up-to-date).

Typically, compound adjectives are only hyphenated like this when they appear before the words they are modifying. For instance, both of the following are correct: She is a much-loved artist. As an artist, she is much loved.

Is there a specific order for combining last names? It's totally up to you but it's most common for your last name to be the first (the person hyphenating) and your spouse's second (assuming your spouse isn't hyphenating).

Should compound adverbs be hyphenated? ›

Compound adverbs are used to modify a verb, adjective or even another adverb. Compound adverbs may be written as one word (thereafter, sometimes), two words (early on, very well) or with a hyphen (self-consciously, in-house). We thereafter always looked before crossing the road.

An open compound word is written with spaces between the words (e.g., “high school”). A hyphenated compound word is written with hyphens between the words (e.g., “sister-in-law”). A closed compound word is written with no spaces or punctuation (e.g., “cheesecake”).

Hyphens are only used to combine certain words together. They are not strong enough to set off phrases or words from a sentence. Use hyphens in the following situations: Use in compound numbers and fractions.

A compound modifier consists of two words connected by a hyphen, which act together like one adjective. Usually, compound modifier words could be understood as individual modifiers or nouns, so the hyphen is required to clarify the function of the words.