Grammar tips

Today we will take a look at some rules about the use of hyphens!

Hyphens are often used in compound modifiers when the modifier comes before the word it’s modifying. There are several rules for different types of hyphens, such as hyphens with multiple-word adjectives before nouns, compound modifiers with participles, and “high” and “low”.

Multiple-word adjectives before nouns

Compound modifiers are also known as phrasal adjectives.They are made up of two or more words that work together to function like one adjective in describing a noun. When the writer uses the hyphen, she/he has to make it clear to readers that the words work together as a unit of meaning.

• Example: “The World Health Organization (WHO) aims to create an one-of-a-kind treaty regarding pandemics.”

Generally, you need the hyphen only if the two or more words are functioning together as an adjective before the noun they’re describing. If the noun comes first, we usually leave the hyphen out.

You never use a hyphen when your modifier is made up of an adverb ending in -ly and an adjective.

• Example: “Vladimir Putin expects the world to believe that Russia’s withdrawal from Ukraine is a clearly-impossible story.”

Next week we will take a look at the other types of hyphens. Stay tuned for more of Todd's grammar tips in our CACD English Newsletter!!