Compound modifier
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A compound modifier (also called a compound adjective) is an adjectival or adverbial phrase of two or more words. According to modern writing guides, compound modifiers require a hyphen between each word (not between the phrase and the noun the phrase modifies). Hyphens help prevent confusion; otherwise, a reader might interpret the words separately, rather than as a phrase. One or more hyphens join the words into a single idea.
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[edit] Examples
- Long-term contract (not "long term contract", a long contract about a term)
- Hard-fought battle
- Better-educated individuals
- "Science-fiction writers write science fiction" — note the difference
- Military-history experts
[edit] Exceptions
- Do not use a hyphen following adverbs that end in -ly (quickly forgotten incident).
- Do not use a hyphen following "very" (very elaborate presentation).
- Most phrases that need hyphens as compound modifiers should not be hyphenated if they come after the noun they describe: "a contract for a long term."
These rules and exceptions are generally subject to a writer's judgment and may be applied differently to avoid confusion. The Times Online Style Guide suggests using the hyphen "when the phrase would otherwise be ambiguous."
[edit] Examples of non-compound modifiers
- Oxygen free radicals (free radicals that contain oxygen, not to confuse with radicals that are oxygen-free)
- A new looking glass (not to confuse with a new-looking glass, looking glass being a rather old-fashioned word for a mirror, sometimes hyphenated as looking-glass)
[edit] References
- The Associated Press Stylebook and Libel Manual, Addison-Wesley Publishing Company, Inc. (1992)
- "Hyphens" in the Style Guide of the Economist
- "A" (see under "adverbs") in the Times Online Style Guide
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