How to Use Hyphens Correctly in Business Grammar
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Louise Julig wrote a wonderful post about hyphens in her Thoughts Happen blog. Although business writing requires correct hyphenation, errors in hyphen use are a common mistake, as you'll see below.
She wore a purple wristband to remind her of her pledge not to complain. The problem? The bracelet omitted a needed hyphen, prompting Louise’s grammar complaint:
Argh! I just can’t stand it anymore! I’ve been doing this purple-bracelet “stop complaining” exercise for almost three weeks now (and am on my record 5th day of not complaining), but I can’t hold it in any longer because every time I look at the half inch of rubber encircling my wrist I want to gouge a little hyphen between “Complaint” and “Free.”
It’s “A Complaint-Free World,” people, not “A Complaint Free World”!
Oh, the irony of complaining about the “complaint free” bracelet. But really!
Baseline Hyphen Rule
Hyphens are very complicated punctuation marks, but here is a trustworthy baseline rule:
Hyphenate compound adjectives when they come before a noun, and don’t hyphenate them when they come after a noun.
Louise illustrated this rule nicely:
Why is this? Here’s my best explanation: hyphens group modifiers together for clarity. Say you have a red brick house. Is it a red house? Yes. Is it a brick house? Yes. Therefore, no hyphen is needed. However, what if you have a “gluten free recipe.” Is it a gluten recipe? No. Is it a free recipe? No. Therefore, a hyphen is needed to group the modifiers together so you know the recipe has no gluten. It’s a gluten-free recipe.
Why then do you not hyphenate after the noun, e.g. “the recipe is gluten free”? The temptation is to throw in extra hyphens just in case, e.g. “the recipe is gluten-free.” But it’s just as bad to over-hyphenate as to under-hyphenate, and it really isn’t necessary. Here’s why: when the modifier comes after the noun, it’s only modifying the one word immediately after it. So we ask ourselves, “What kind of ‘free’ is it?” and the answer is “gluten.” It’s gluten free.
Using Hyphens with Two Modifiers in a Sentence
A hyphen is used between two words that work together as a single adjective (a compound modifier) before a noun. This prevents confusion and ensures clarity in professional communication.
1. Use a Hyphen When the Two Modifiers Work as One Idea Before a Noun
When two words form a single descriptive unit before a noun, they should be hyphenated.
Correct Examples:
- The CEO gave a well-thought-out strategy presentation.
- We need a cost-effective solution for the project.
- Please submit a five-page report by Monday.
- Our team specializes in data-driven decision-making.
- She is leading a high-priority initiative.
Incorrect Examples: No Hyphen When the Modifiers Follow the Noun
- The strategy was well thought out by the CEO.
- The solution must be cost effective for the project.
- The report should be five pages long.
- Our decisions are data driven.
- This initiative is high priority.
2. No Hyphen When the First Modifying Word Ends in “-ly”
Modifiers ending in “-ly” (typically adverbs) do not need a hyphen.
Correct Examples:
- She wrote a clearly defined company policy.
- The strategically placed ad boosted sales.
- He made a widely recognized contribution.
Incorrect Examples:
- She wrote a clearly-defined company policy.
- The strategically-placed ad boosted sales.
3. Hyphenate Modifying Numbers and Time Periods Before a Noun
Numbers and time-related terms should be hyphenated when they act as adjectives before a noun.
Correct Examples. The numbers and time periods come before the noun so hyphens are needed:
- We scheduled a 30-minute meeting.
- The company signed a three-year contract.
- He delivered a five-point proposal.
Correct Examples. The numbers and time periods come after the noun so hyphens are not needed:
- The meeting lasted 30 minutes.
- The contract is for three years.
- His proposal had five points.
Summary of How to Use Hyphens Correctly
- Use a hyphen when two words function as a single idea before a noun.
- Do not use a hyphen if the words appear after the noun.
- Do not hyphenate adverbs ending in "-ly".
- Hyphenate numbers and time-related terms before a noun.
Louise, thanks so much for breaking your complaint-free pledge to clarify this! I say you should gouge that little hyphen into your bracelet, and wear it proudly!
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