In introductory remarks entitled “Where Have All the Hyphens Gone?” The Gregg Reference Manual suggests that what it calls “the hyphen mess” is simply going to go away because people just don’t understand the rules. And if you go on to read the 38-page chapter on compound words, I am fairly sure you will agree. Since – for those of …
More on Hyphenation
There are some hyphenation questions that fall into a “gray” area. This is the method I would try when you are in doubt — or maybe when you just want to figure it out. …sunny breakfast room First, it is a room. Then, it is a breakfast room. Last, it is a breakfast room that is sunny. If this works, …
More Hyphen Stuff…
When a prefix goes with both words in a hyphenated combination, do not add the prefix and make it solid word. Hyphenate the prefix. …In your opinion, are the non-work-related conditions also disabling to Jane? When a prefix goes with a compound that is separate words, do not add the prefix to make a solid word. Hyphenate the prefix. …Please run down …
Already a Unit = No Hyphen
When the word “dollars” is said and there are numbers above a million with the figure and the word, the dollar sign is used, and the combination is considered to be a unit and uses no hyphen. (NOTE: It is perfectly fine to use all figures for these, though it is probably easier to read in the figure-word combination.) …They spent $1.2 …
“Full-Time” and “Part-Time”
These two words are hyphenated in the dictionary as adjectives and adverbs. However, as we know, the adjective form in the dictionary is the direct adjective form, i.e., the form right in front of the noun. Predicate and appositive adjectives are not hyphenated. So they are hyphenated as direct adjectives …full-time job …part-time position and as adverbs …
Adding the Suffix “-wise”
The rule for adding suffixes is to add them directly to the word to form a solid word. The suffix –wise normally follows this rule. …We placed it lengthwise along the edge. …Otherwise, he will not be able to complete it. This suffix, however, gets added to some words where it was never intended: punctuationwise, doctorwise. How do these words …
And If the Letter-for-Letter Spelling Is Interrupted…
There is a question about the blog from earlier in the week: What happens when the spelling is interrupted or picks up midword? It is important to remember that the hyphen goes with the letter that follows it, not with the letter in front of it. (Otherwise, there would be a hyphen in front of the first letter of the …
Why Does “Direct Examination” Not Have a Hyphen?
“Cross-examine” is a verb. As with all words that have a prefix “cross,” the word is hyphenated. The noun that comes from it is also hyphenated. There is no verb “direct examine”; therefore, there is no hyphen in “direct examination. Happy punctuating! Margie
Hyphenating Adjectives
Remember that the dictionary does not make a distinction for adjectives in regard to hyphenating. The dictionary gives the “direct adjective,” right in front of the noun, form only. So if you look up “long-range,” it is shown as hyphenated. This does not take into account that the RULE says that a predicate adjective is not hyphenated. …I have long-range plans. …My …
More on Hyphens
Remember that hyphenating words in front of a noun is done to indicate those words form a unit. …long-range plans… …old-fashioned ideas… …five-month-old baby… When the words are already considered to be a unit, no hyphen is required. This occurs with multiple-word compound nouns. …real estate transaction… …social security payments… …high school diploma… One trick for hyphens is to test whether the …