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Compound Nouns - Rules

Compound nouns rules dictate whether compound words should be one word, two words, or hyphenated. They provide guidance on compound nouns, verbs, adjectives, numbers, fractions, and prefixes. Key rules include hyphenating between two or more adjectives before a noun, compound numbers from 21-99, spelled out fractions, prefixes ending in a/i before root words starting with the same letter, and prefixes like self- except for selfish. The document provides numerous examples to illustrate each rule.

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Jayaprakash Chary
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415 views3 pages

Compound Nouns - Rules

Compound nouns rules dictate whether compound words should be one word, two words, or hyphenated. They provide guidance on compound nouns, verbs, adjectives, numbers, fractions, and prefixes. Key rules include hyphenating between two or more adjectives before a noun, compound numbers from 21-99, spelled out fractions, prefixes ending in a/i before root words starting with the same letter, and prefixes like self- except for selfish. The document provides numerous examples to illustrate each rule.

Uploaded by

Jayaprakash Chary
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as TXT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Compound Nouns Rules ....

Hyphens Between Words Rule 1 To check whether a compound noun is two words, one word, or hyphenated, you may need to look it up in the dictionary. If you can't find the word in the dictiona ry, treat the noun as separate words. Examples: eyewitness, eye shadow, eye-opener NOTE: All these words had to be looked up in the dictionary to know what to do with th em! Rule 2 Phrases that have verb, noun, and adjective forms should appear as separate word s when used as verbs and as one word when used as nouns or adjectives. Examples: The engine will eventually break down. (verb) We suffered a breakdown in communications. (noun) Please clean up your room. (verb) That Superfund site will require specialized cleanup procedures. (adjective) Rule 3 Compound verbs are either hyphenated or appear as one word. If you do not find t he verb in the dictionary, hyphenate it. Examples: To air-condition the house will be costly. We were notified that management will downsize the organization next year. Rule 4 Generally, hyphenate between two or more adjectives when they come before a noun and act as a single idea. Examples: friendly-looking man (compound adjective in front of a noun) friendly little girl (not a compound adjective) brightly lit room (Brightly is an adverb describing lit, not an adjective.) Rule 5 When adverbs not ending in -ly are used as compound words in front of a noun, hy phenate. When the combination of words is used after the noun, do not hyphenate. Examples: The well-known actress accepted her award. Well is an adverb followed by another descriptive word. They combine to form one idea in front of the noun. The actress who accepted her award was well known. Well known follows the noun it describes, so no hyphen is used. A long-anticipated decision was finally made. He got a much-needed haircut yesterday.

His haircut was much needed. Rule 6 Remember to use a comma, not a hyphen, between two adjectives when you could hav e used and between them. Examples: I have important, classified documents. Jennifer received a lovely, fragrant bouquet on Valentine's Day. Rule 7 Hyphenate all compound numbers from twenty-one through ninety-nine. Examples: The teacher had thirty-two children in her classroom. Only twenty-one of the children were bilingual. Rule 8 Hyphenate all spelled-out fractions. Examples: You need one-third of a cup of sugar for that recipe. More than one-half of the student body voted for removing soda machines from cam pus. Hyphens with Prefixes Rule 1 The current trend is to do away with unnecessary hyphens. Therefore, attach most prefixes and suffixes onto root words without a hyphen. Examples: noncompliance copayment semiconscious fortyish Rule 2: Hyphenate prefixes when they come before proper nouns. Example: un-American Rule 3 Hyphenate prefixes ending in an a or i only when the root word begins with the s ame letter. Examples: ultra-ambitious semi-invalid Rule 4 When a prefix ends in one vowel and a root word begins with a different vowel, g enerally attach them without a hyphen. Examples: antiaircraft proactive Rule 5

Prefixes and root words that result in double e's and double o's are usually com bined to form one word. Examples: preemployment coordinate Exceptions: de-emphasize co-owner Rule 6 Hyphenate all words beginning with self except for selfish and selfless. Examples: self-assured self-respect self-addressed Rule 7 Use a hyphen with the prefix ex. Example: His ex-wife sued for nonsupport. Rule 8 Use the hyphen with the prefix re only when: the re means again AND omitting the hyphen would cause confusion with another wo rd. Examples: Will she recover from her illness? Re does not mean again. I have re-covered the sofa twice. Re does mean again AND omitting the hyphen would have caused confusion with anot her word. The stamps have been reissued. Re means again but would not cause confusion with another word. I must re-press the shirt. Re means again AND omitting the hyphen would have caused confusion with another word.

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