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Many people find rules for writing compound verbs confusing and arbitrary. They end up guessing and producing inconsistent and confusing text that tends to lose the attention of their readers. Credibility is lost, and therefore the power of the message is depleted. Read on and look for examples that can help your writing today.
Compound verbs are usually hyphenated or solid.
NOTE: If you try to check the spelling of a compound verb in a dictionary and do not find the verb listed, hyphenate the components.
Do not hyphenate verb phrases such as make up, slow down, tie in.
If the infinitive form of a compound verb has a hyphen, retain the hyphen in other forms of the verb.
The gerund derived from a hyphenated compound verb requires no hyphen unless it is followed by an object.
Source: The Gregg Reference Manual.
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