What are some examples of hyphenated adjectives?
A compound adjective is an adjective that is made up of multiple individual words. Usually, the words are connected by a hyphen or hyphens when used as an adjective. Words like absent-minded and happy-go-lucky are examples of compound adjectives.
What are hyphenated phrases?
Commonly Hyphenated Words: Examples
- Empty + handed = Empty-handed, which means to have nothing in your hands.
- Mother + in + law = Mother-in-law, who is the mother of your spouse.
- Merry + go + round = Merry-go-round, which is another word for a carousel.
- Self + esteem = Self-esteem, which is similar to your confidence.
Which type of phrase is usually hyphenated?
Hyphens Between Words. Rule 1a. 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.
Do you hyphenate phrasal verbs?
Phrasal verbs don’t normally require hyphens. However, when they are used as nouns, they either take a hyphen or are combined into a single word. If you’re not sure whether a hyphen is necessary, consult a dictionary.
How do you hyphenate adjectives?
Generally, you need the hyphen only if the two or more words are functioning together as an adjective before the noun they’re describing. If the noun comes first, leave the hyphen out. This wall is load bearing. It’s impossible to eat this cake because it is rock hard.
What are hyphenated adjectives called?
A compound modifier (also called a compound adjective, phrasal adjective, or adjectival phrase) is a compound of two or more attributive words: that is, two or more words that collectively modify a noun.
What is a hyphenated compound adjective?
A compound adjective is formed when two or more adjectives are joined together to modify the same noun. These terms should be hyphenated to avoid confusion or ambiguity. For example: Diana submitted a 6-page document. She adopted a two-year-old cat.
What are the rules for hyphenating words?
The Hyphen
- Use a hyphen at the end of a line to divide a word where there is not enough space for the whole word.
- Use a hyphen to indicate a word spelled out letter by letter.
- Use a hyphen to join two or more words to form compound adjectives that precede a noun.
- Use a hyphen to avoid awkward doubling of vowels.
How do you tell if a word should be hyphenated?
The Hyphen
- Use a hyphen at the end of a line to divide a word where there is not enough space for the whole word.
- Use a hyphen to indicate a word spelled out letter by letter.
- Use a hyphen to join two or more words to form compound adjectives that precede a noun.
- Use a hyphen to avoid awkward doubling of vowels.
Can phrasal verb be used as adjective?
When Phrasal Verbs Become Nouns and Adjectives. Although phrasal verbs are made of two or three separate words when you use them as verbs, you squish them together as a closed compound or use a hyphen when you turn them into nouns or adjectives.
Should 30 day be hyphenated?
With compound adjectives denoting periods of time or amounts, drop the plurals {nine-month pregnancy; 24-hour-a-day service; two-liter bottle}. Note that you would write 30-day notice or 30 days’ notice but not 30-days notice. There is an exception of sorts for fractions: two-thirds majority. Suspensive hyphens.
What is a hyphenated adjective?
Combinations of adjectives should be hyphenated. This is known as hyphenated adjective (or compound adjective) and while they may seem odd, are in fact proper punctuation. For example: easy-to-read content. one-of-a-kind dog.