Anonymous Posted 18 years ago
Grammar
when to hyphenate adjectives and when not
Hi,
I am sure I have used this example phrase to ask a question, "XXX Airlines Flight Schedule Board." I think CalifJim commented/responded it might be too long -- I think he said three words are the maximum as a string of adjectives but I am not sure.
Come to think of it, I don't know the reason why I didn't hyphenate the words "Flight" and "Schedule" like this: "Flight-Schedule". I thought two words are so closely related, there is almost no room for misinterpretation. Is that a good-enough reason? Should I leave a phrase and not hyphenate when we normally see them as a pair/group and see a hyphenated version of them would possibly create an impression of anomaly?
I also heard that you should hyphenate when a comparative word or a superlative is involved but I saw this:
a combination of higher-ed administrations
I have looked various online help sites for information but seem to be in need of something more to completely understand the subject matter (maybe due to my inadequecies). Anyway, can you offer some guidelines or help?
I am sure I have used this example phrase to ask a question, "XXX Airlines Flight Schedule Board." I think CalifJim commented/responded it might be too long -- I think he said three words are the maximum as a string of adjectives but I am not sure.
Come to think of it, I don't know the reason why I didn't hyphenate the words "Flight" and "Schedule" like this: "Flight-Schedule". I thought two words are so closely related, there is almost no room for misinterpretation. Is that a good-enough reason? Should I leave a phrase and not hyphenate when we normally see them as a pair/group and see a hyphenated version of them would possibly create an impression of anomaly?
I also heard that you should hyphenate when a comparative word or a superlative is involved but I saw this:
a combination of higher-ed administrations
I have looked various online help sites for information but seem to be in need of something more to completely understand the subject matter (maybe due to my inadequecies). Anyway, can you offer some guidelines or help?
Top answer
I think that no hyphen is required.
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Anonymousa combination of higher-ed administrationsThis is not a comparative: it's short for "higher education"
When you have two words that modify a noun, you often (usually) hyphenate them. Higher-education administrators, full-time students, 30-foot pole.
When they do not modify a noun you usually do NOT hyphenate. He chose a career
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Grammar GeekWhen you have two words that modify a noun, you often (usually) hyphenate them.Hi GG, but some grammarians say that if you can avoid hyphens, do so.
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