Andy Bell asked a great question about when to use a hyphen:
Hyphens. Sometimes you use them when you put a verb and and a noun together, but not always? What’s the rule? Is it carbon-tipped? Is it Horse-drawn?
While there are a few proper uses of the hyphen, the one Andy is referring to is for a compound adjective in the pre-nominal position. In other words, the hyphen goes between multiple-word adjectives when they precede the word that they are modifying. We don’t use a hyphen, however, if one of the modifiers is an adverb ending in -ly.
Examples
- The bride and groom rode through town in a horse–drawn carriage.
- The employee at the hardware store recommended a carbon–tipped saw blade.
- Joan was glad that her saw blade was carbon tipped.
- Ben knew the most effective door–to–door sales techniques.
- After he graduated from college, Ben sold kitchen knives door to door.
Notice that “carbon tipped” in sentence 3 and “door to door” in sentence 5 do not have hyphens, because they do not come directly before nouns.
If, as you say, “the hyphen goes between multiple-word adjectives when they precede the word that they are modifying. We don’t use a hyphen, however, if one of the modifiers is an adverb…” do we use a hyphen after “well,” as in “well dressed person”?
Does this rule apply when there are multiple instances in the same sentence? Ex: This is a cut-, puncture-, and slip-resistant glove. Is that correct, or would it read as follows: This is a cut, puncture, and slip-resistant glove. There was an issue on the table at my place of business this morning regarding this circumstance.
Hi Alice.
Yes, the rule applies when there are multiple instances.
Please explain when to use is and are for singular and plural.
Seems like everyone is saying there’s two instead of there’re two.
Also, was ten instead of were ten.
Thanks!