1. A compound adjective is formed when two or more adjectives work together to modify the same noun. These terms should be hyphenated to avoid confusion or ambiguity.
Incorrect: The black and blue mark suggested that he had been involved in an altercation.
Correct: The black-and-blue mark suggested that he had been involved in an altercation.
Incorrect: Her fifteen minute presentation proved decisive to the outcome of the case.
Correct: Her fifteen-minute presentation proved decisive to the outcome of the case.
2. However, combining an adverb (usually a word ending in "ly") and an adjective does not create a compound adjective. No hyphen is required because it is already clear that the adverb modifies the adjective rather than the subsequent noun.
Incorrect: The remarkably-hot day turned into a remarkably-long week.
Correct: The remarkably hot day turned into a remarkably long week.
3. Furthermore, you should not place a hyphen in a compound adjective if the adjectives are capitalized, such as when they are part of a title.
Correct: His book was entitled, "Gender Neutral Language in English Usage," and it revolutionized the way people think about sex roles.
However: His book on gender-neutral language revolutionized the way people think about sex roles.
Correct: The students were participants in Chicago-Kent's vaunted Legal Research and Writing Program.
Yes, "wide-eyed" is an example of a compound adjective, which combines two words to create a new meaning. Compound adjectives often use a hyphen to connect the words, as in "high-pitched" or "well-known." These adjectives typically describe a specific quality or characteristic of a noun. Other examples include "old-fashioned" and "blue-eyed."
The correct spelling of "nonexclusive" is nonexclusive, without a hyphen. This compound word is formed by combining the prefix "non-" meaning "not" or "without" with the word "exclusive," meaning "not excluding any particular group or individual." When written as one word, "nonexclusive" functions as an adjective to describe something that is not limited to just one specific group or individual.
Yes, "self-conscious" is a hyphenated adjective. The two words do not separately modify the subject.
The correct spelling is "full-time" with a hyphen when used as an adjective, such as in "full-time job." When used as a noun or adverb, it can be written as "full time" without a hyphen.
The US elected official is the Vice President, without a hyphen. Both hyphenated and unhyphenated variants exist for similar business positions. The hyphen is more often seen in the adjective form vice-presidential.
Compound adjectives are formed when you use two or more adjectives that are joined together with a hyphen to modify the same noun. She had a three-year-old cat is an example of a compound adjective in a sentence.
The term "community-wide" does require a hyphen when used as a compound adjective before a noun. For example, you would say "a community-wide event." However, if it follows the noun, you would write it without the hyphen, as in "the event was community wide."
No, there is no hyphen in "homemade." The word is a compound adjective formed by combining "home" and "made," and it is written as one word without a hyphen. It describes something that is made at home rather than in a factory or store.
No, "well liked" does not need a hyphen. It is an adjective phrase where "well" modifies "liked," and they are commonly used together without a hyphen. Hyphens are typically used in compound adjectives that precede a noun, but in this case, "well liked" is used as a predicate adjective or after the noun.
Yes, "forty-five" needs a hyphen when used as a compound adjective before a noun or when it stands alone as a number. For example, you would write "forty-five apples" or simply "forty-five." However, when used in a sentence without a noun, such as "I have forty five," the hyphen is not necessary.
When used as an adjective compound, "out of the box" should be hyphenated. Example, "The out-of-the-box themes are very easy to use."
Yes, "pre-workshop" should have a hyphen when used as a compound adjective to describe something that occurs before a workshop. The hyphen helps clarify that "pre" modifies "workshop," indicating the time relationship. Without the hyphen, the meaning could be ambiguous.
The word "temporary" does not typically require a hyphen. However, if you are using it as part of a compound adjective before a noun, you might see it hyphenated, as in "temporary-job position." In general, it is used without a hyphen when standing alone.
No, decision making does not have a hyphen. It is considered a compound noun that is used without a hyphen.
A compound word
Yes, "younger-looking" should have a hyphen when used as a compound adjective before a noun. The hyphen clarifies that "younger" modifies "looking" as a single idea describing the noun that follows. For example, you would write "She has a younger-looking appearance."
Yes, you need a hyphen in "professional-quality" when it is used as a compound adjective before a noun. The hyphen clarifies that "professional" modifies "quality" and together they describe the noun that follows. For example, in "professional-quality equipment," the hyphen helps convey that the equipment meets a certain standard.