There are no specific rules on forming compound nouns. Hyphens are often used to reduce confusion in a sentence. For example, the compound noun 'wire clip' is perfectly acceptable as a compound noun, but for a term like 'plastic wire-clip', the hyphen makes it more readable. The compound word is correct with or without the hyphen.
Some examples of hyphenated compound nouns are:
A-frame
about-face
ad-lib
African-American
break-in
brother-in-law
cover-up
ex-husband
father-in-law
get-together
great-grandmother
half-sister
know-how
ne'er-do-well
nitty-gritty
passer-by
president-elect
self-assurance
self-help
six-pack
sixty-six
T-shirt (or tee-shirt)
V-neck
voice-over
warm-up
well-being
x-ray
"Sister-in-law" is an example of a compound noun that is typically hyphenated.
Yes, "weekend" is not typically hyphenated as it is considered a compound noun that does not require a hyphen.
Yes, "low-to-intermediate" should be hyphenated when used as a compound modifier before a noun.
Yes, "subforeman" is typically not hyphenated. It is a compound word formed by combining the prefix "sub-" with the noun "foreman."
No, "two thirds" should not be hyphenated. It is a compound adjective that functions as a single unit modifying a noun.
"Left-handed" is a hyphenated compound word.
The noun rowboat is a closed compound.
Yes, mother-in-law is a hyphenated compound noun.
Yes, the noun short circuit (or short-circuit) is a compound noun; an open spaced or hyphenated compound noun (both are accepted).
Yes, "weekend" is not typically hyphenated as it is considered a compound noun that does not require a hyphen.
Yes, "low-to-intermediate" should be hyphenated when used as a compound modifier before a noun.
Whistle-blower.
No, the correct plural is fathers-in-law, a hyphenated compound noun.
The compound noun 'tryout' is written as either a single word or a hyphenated word, 'try-out'. Either is acceptable.
"Left-handed" is a hyphenated compound word.
Examples of hyphenated compound nouns where the first word is pluralized include "five-star hotels," "six-pack abs," and "ten-dollar bills."
"Tomorrow" is not typically hyphenated. However, in some specific contexts where it is used as a compound modifier before a noun (e.g., "tomorrow-morning meeting"), it may be hyphenated.
Yes, "mother-in-law" is a compound word. It is made up of three words ("mother," "in," and "law") that have been combined to form a single word with a specific meaning.