Page 6 - Lesson Notes
P. 6
dinner table
coffee mug
Hyphenated Compound Words:
Hyphens are used internally in some compound words to separate the words
forming the compound word.
Examples: merry-go-round editor-in-chief
When unsure of the hyphenation of such words, check a dictionary. Usage may vary.
As some words are more widely used, the hyphen is dropped. For example, in the
early 1800s the word blackbird was usually spelled black-bird. Now the hyphen has
been dropped.
Hyphens connect the words of a compound modifier that comes before the word
being modified. Hyphens are not used this way with compound parts ending in -ly or
made up of proper nouns or proper adjectives.
Incorrect: He is a well respected man.
Correct: He is a well-respected man.
(A compound modifier before the noun.)
Incorrect: That man is well-respected.
Correct: That man is well respected.
(The modifier follows the noun, no hyphen.)
Incorrect: That was a badly-punctuated sentence.
