How do you hyphenate compound adjectives?
Generally, hyphenate two or more words when they come before a noun they modify and act as a single idea. This is called a compound adjective. When a compound adjective follows a noun, a hyphen is usually not necessary. Example: The apartment is off campus.
What is the rule for hyphenated compound words?
There are a great many grammar rules regarding hyphens in compound words. One important rule of thumb to remember is that in most cases, a compound adjective is hyphenated if placed before the noun it modifies, but not if placed after the noun.
Why are compound adjectives hyphenated?
When the compound adjective comes before the noun it modifies, and the meaning of the term could be misread, a hyphen is often needed to make the meaning clear (e.g., all inclusive classrooms has a different meaning that all-inclusive classrooms). One hyphen can make all the difference in clarity.
What are the compound adjective rules?
Compound Adjectives
- A compound adjective is formed when two or more adjectives work together to modify the same noun.
- However, combining an adverb (usually a word ending in “ly”) and an adjective does not create a compound adjective.
What is an example of a compound adjective?
Most compound adjectives are two-word adjectives, but they can be longer. For example (compound adjectives shaded): Please request a four-foot table. (“Four-foot” is an adjective describing “table.” A hyphen is used to link “four” and “foot” to show they are part of the same adjective.)
What are the types of compound adjectives?
Types of compound adjectives
| Part of Speech | Example | |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | + | Ice-cold, sky-blue, cruelty-free |
| Noun | + | French-speaking, mouth-watering, self-effacing |
| Adverb | + | Tightly wound, overpopulated, undercooked |
| Adjective | + | High-minded, bold-faced, long-awaited |
What is a compound adjective examples?
Examples of compound adjectives
- This is a four-foot table.
- Daniella is a part-time worker.
- This is an all-too-common error.
- Beware of the green-eyed monster.
- He is a cold-blooded man.
- I love this brightly-lit room!
- He is an obedient and well-behaved dog.
- You have to be open-minded about things.
What is the example of compound adjective?
Examples of compound adjectives Beware of the green-eyed monster. He is a cold-blooded man. I love this brightly-lit room! He is an obedient and well-behaved dog.
When do you not use a hyphen in a compound adjective?
If a compound adjective is placed after the term it describes, do not use a hyphen, since the combination is clear enough for readers to understand. Examples: the student-centered activities are new this year, BUT this year, the new activities are student centered. The program was designed for same-sex children.
How to write a sentence with a hyphen?
All numbers from twenty-one to ninety-nine must include a hyphen. 7. Convert the following sentence into a sentence with a compound adjective.Between two classes, we usually have five minutes’ break.Between two classes, we usually have a __________ break.
Which is an example of a compound adjective?
An adjective is a describing word (e.g., red, big, beautiful, contagious). Read more about adjectives. A single adjective made up of two or more words is called a compound adjective. The words in a compound adjective are often linked together by a hyphen (or hyphens) to show that they are part of the same adjective.
When do you use a hyphen in double glazing?
(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.