By far, the most common spelling quandary for writers and editors concerns compound terms. Should we hyphenate, combine into one term, or keep them separated? A dictionary can help with most compound spelling conundrums, and so can these few simple rules from The Chicago Manual of Style, 16th edition.
Some definitions.
An Open Compound is spelled as two or more words. (Ex. high school and leap year)
A Hyphenated Compound is spelled with one or more hyphens. (Ex. mother-in-law and one-half)
A Closed Compound is spelled as a single word. (Ex. shipbuilder and copyeditor)
A Permanent Compound is a single word that has been accepted through general use and can be found in the dictionary. (Ex. website and worldwide)
Adverbs ending in “ly.”
Compounds formed by an adverb ending in ly plus an adjective or participle (such as funkily dressed and barely composed) are not hyphenated either before or after a noun, since ambiguity is virtually impossible. The ly ending with adverb signals to the reader that the next word will be another modifier, not a noun.
An Open Compound is spelled as two or more words. (Ex. high school and leap year)
A Hyphenated Compound is spelled with one or more hyphens. (Ex. mother-in-law and one-half)
A Closed Compound is spelled as a single word. (Ex. shipbuilder and copyeditor)
A Permanent Compound is a single word that has been accepted through general use and can be found in the dictionary. (Ex. website and worldwide)
Adverbs ending in “ly.”
Compounds formed by an adverb ending in ly plus an adjective or participle (such as funkily dressed and barely composed) are not hyphenated either before or after a noun, since ambiguity is virtually impossible. The ly ending with adverb signals to the reader that the next word will be another modifier, not a noun.
Compound modifiers before or
after a noun
When compound modifiers precede a noun, hyphenation usually lends clarity. It is never incorrect to hyphenate adjectival compounds before a noun, exceptions being proper nouns (such as United States) and compounds formed by an adverb ending in ly plus and adjective. When ly compounds follow the noun they modify, hyphenation is usually unnecessary, even for adjectival compounds that are hyphenated in Webster’s (such as well-read or ill- humored).
Multiple hyphens.
Multiple hyphens are usually appropriate for such phrases as an over-the-counter drug and winner- takes-all contest. If, however, the compound modifier consists of an adjective that itself modifies a compound, additional hyphens may not be necessary. The expression late nineteenth-century literature is clear without a second hyphen.
Omission of part of a hyphenated expression.
When the second part of a hyphenated expression is omitted, the hyphen is retained, followed by a space. Ex. eight- and twenty-year loans (multiple entities) but
Ex. a eight-by-ten-foot rug (a single entity) Omission of the second part of a solid compound
follows the same pattern.
Ex. both over- and underfed sharks
but
When compound modifiers precede a noun, hyphenation usually lends clarity. It is never incorrect to hyphenate adjectival compounds before a noun, exceptions being proper nouns (such as United States) and compounds formed by an adverb ending in ly plus and adjective. When ly compounds follow the noun they modify, hyphenation is usually unnecessary, even for adjectival compounds that are hyphenated in Webster’s (such as well-read or ill- humored).
Multiple hyphens.
Multiple hyphens are usually appropriate for such phrases as an over-the-counter drug and winner- takes-all contest. If, however, the compound modifier consists of an adjective that itself modifies a compound, additional hyphens may not be necessary. The expression late nineteenth-century literature is clear without a second hyphen.
Omission of part of a hyphenated expression.
When the second part of a hyphenated expression is omitted, the hyphen is retained, followed by a space. Ex. eight- and twenty-year loans (multiple entities) but
Ex. a eight-by-ten-foot rug (a single entity) Omission of the second part of a solid compound
follows the same pattern.
Ex. both over- and underfed sharks
but
Ex. overfed and overworked squirrels (not overfed
and -worked squirrels)
New Yorker cartoon by Jack Ziegler
Chicago Manual of Style 16th ed., p 372-384.
Hyphenation Guide for Commonly Misunderstood Words
Category/specific term Example Summary of Rule
|
||
age terms
|
a two-year-old a twenty-four-year-old man a group of five- to six-year-olds but ten years old forty years of age |
Hyphenated in both noun and adjective forms (except as in the last two examples); note the space after the first hyphen in the third example. The examples apply equally to ages expressed as numerals. |
colors
|
grayish-brown log blue-green water black-and-white photo but his shirt was grayish brown the water was blue green the situation is not black and white |
Hyphenated before but not
after a noun.
|
compass points and directions
|
northwest southeast west-northwest a east-west street the tracks run east-west |
Closed in noun, adjective, and adverb forms unless three directions are combined, in which case a hyphen is used after the first. |
fractions, compounds
formed with |
a half hour a half-hour class a quarter mile a quarter-mile run an eighth rest |
Nouns are open; adjective form hyphenated. |
time
|
a four thirty the four-thirty bus a five o’clock call the 6:00 p.m. show |
Usually open; forms such as “Three thirty.” “four fifty,” etc., are hyphenated before a noun. |
combining forms
|
electrocardiogram socioeconomic politico-scientific research the practico-inert |
Usually closed if permanent, hyphenated if temporary. |
phrases, adjectival
|
an over-the counter medicine a matter-of-fact rebuke sold over the counter her tone was matter of fact |
Hyphenated before a noun; usually open after a noun. |
Chicago Manual of Style 16th ed., p 372-384.
