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Compound Adjectives

Posted by Julie DeSilva on Tue, Nov 29, 2011 @ 04:30
  
  
  
  

C + ANo aspect of style causes greater difficulty than compound adjectives. When a compound adjective is shown hyphenated in the dictionary, you can assume only that the expression is hyphenated when it occurs directly before a noun. When the same combination of words falls elsewhere in the sentence, the use or omission of hyphens depends on how the words are used.

Adjective + Noun

Hyphenate an adjective and a noun when these elements serve as a compound modifier before a noun. Do not hyphenate these elements when they play a normal role elsewhere in the sentence (for example, as the object of a preposition or of a verb). However, if the expression continues to function as a compound adjective, retain the hyphen.

  • high-speed printers; these printers run at high speed
  • a plain-paper fax; the fax uses plain paper
  • red-carpet treatment; roll out the red carpet
  • a part-time job; the job is part-time (compound adjective)
  • a long-term investment in bonds; the investment runs for a long term; but: the investment is long-term (compound adjective)
  • a larger-size shirt; the shirt is a larger size
  • the finest-quality goods; the goods are of the finest quality

Compound with Number or Letter

When a number and a noun form a one-thought modifier before a noun (as in six-story building), make the noun singular and hyphenate the expression. When the expression has a normal form and a normal function elsewhere in the sentence, do not hyphenate it.

  • a one-way street; a street that runs only one way
  • a first-person account; a story written in the first person
  • a first-rate job; a job that deserves the first (or highest) rating; but: a job that is first-rate
  • a two-piece suit; a suit consisting of two pieces
  • a 20-year mortgage; a mortgage running for 20 years
  • a 55-mile-an-hour speed limit; a speed limit of 55 miles an hour
  • 24-hour-a-day service; service 24 hours a day
  • an 8-foot ceiling; a ceiling 8 feet above the floor

    Exceptions: a 15 percent decline; a $4 million profit; a twofold increase, but: a 12-fold increase; a secondhand car, but: a second-degree burn
A hyphenated compound adjective and an unhyphenated possessive expression often provide alternative ways of expressing the same thought. Do not use both styles together.

  • a one-year extension, or a one year's extension, but not: a one-year's extension
  • a two-week vacation, or a two weeks' vacation, but not: a two-week's vacation
More examples:
  • he does A-plus (or A+) work; a grade of A plus (or A+)
  • in A1 condition; but A.1. steak sauce
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Comments

I can't believe that our language abilities have sunk so low. This article states what should be obvious to all native speakers of English. It is about time English is returned to the school curriculum. I know children in Europe who use English grammar better than native speakers in Australia, U.S.A. and England.
Posted @ Tuesday, November 29, 2011 5:26 by Eulyce Arkleysmith
I think this is much needed advice. The rules for hyphenation were overlooked in my grammar education. I have only learned them in copyediting.
Posted @ Tuesday, November 29, 2011 7:41 by Sarah Abts
That is precisely the point. Grammar education is sadly lacking in many English speaking countries.
Posted @ Tuesday, November 29, 2011 9:19 by Eulyce Arkleysmith
Thanks for the comments. We are here to help! Speaking of hyphenated compound adjectives, you will want to hyphenate English-speaking there before the word country. Perhaps you did and the blogging control software here removed it!
Posted @ Tuesday, November 29, 2011 11:20 by Phil Jamieson
Apparently. I deliberately used the hyphenated version and did not check it before it went.
Posted @ Tuesday, November 29, 2011 5:18 PM by Eulyce
Great article. I've given up hope trying to explain these rules to anyone, even to many people who are generally quite proficient in grammar. I do have a couple of specific points: 
 
First, in your example of "a larger-size shirt," I find that to be redundant because words like "larger" always indicate size. "larger shirt" is more concise and appropriate. 
 
Second, I found it interesting that you recommended the hyphenation of compound adjectives that do not occur before nouns (e.g., "long-term" and "part-time" above). As an editor, I have always suspected your guideline to be correct, but many of my managing editors have removed the hyphen in those instances. I wonder if perhaps these editors of mine are confusing these with adverb-adjective modifiers (e.g., well-known, which would appear without the hyphen if it does not precede a noun) because your advice on this matter makes more sense to me.
Posted @ Sunday, December 04, 2011 4:12 PM by ALK
ALK, Our example of long-term not before a noun is an example of compound predicate adjective. It would be incorrect to not hyphenate long-term as a compound predicate adjective. If you inserted an article, such as "a" before it, it would not be hyphenated, but then it would not be an adjective, either. Please encourage your editors to hyphenate as in the following: 
 
 
 
His actions are long-term. 
 
 
 
Yours truly, 
 
 
 
Phil Jamieson 
 
ProofreadNOW.com, Inc.
Posted @ Monday, December 05, 2011 7:48 PM by Phil Jamieson
Phil, in response to your last comment, but what about AP style? The rules posted above do not conform to that.
Posted @ Tuesday, February 21, 2012 8:59 by Carrie
Yes, AP has different rules regarding hyphenating. They are in their own world sometimes.
Posted @ Thursday, February 23, 2012 10:10 by Phil Jamieson
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