Compound modifier

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A compound modifier (also called a compound adjective or a phrasal 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.

Contents 1 Examples 2 Exceptions 3 Example of non-compound modifiers 4 References

[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.
• 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] Example of non-compound modifiers

• A new looking glass (not to confuse with a new-looking glass, looking glass being a rather old-fashioned term for a mirror)

[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
• The Chicago Manual of Style, 15th ed. 2003, Clause 5.92, p. 171