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

Examples of Compound Words

Phrasal adjectives (also called compound adjectives) are hyphenated. Phrases often function as adjectives. When a number of words together modify or describe a noun, the phrase is ordinarily hyphenated.

Hyphens connect two words to make a single word. Hyphens are also used to attach a prefix to a word. In some situations, hyphens connect adverbs and adjectives to describe a noun. This can be avoided by rewording the sentence.

Hyphen Use

1. Use a hyphen to join two or more words serving as a single adjective before a noun:
2. Use a hyphen with compound numbers:
3. Use a hyphen to avoid confusion or an awkward combination of letters:

Hyphens’ main purpose is to glue words together. They notify the reader that two or more elements in a sentence are linked. Although there are rules and customs governing hyphens, there are also situations when writers must decide whether to add them for clarity.

Generally, there are no set rules or etiquette when it comes to deciding exactly how your hyphenated last name will read. You can go the “traditional” route and list your “maiden” name first, or you could choose to list your new last name first, followed by your original last name.

In-person: this hyphenated word is an adjective, a word that tells us “what kind of.” In-person: (adjective): an appearance carried out personally in someone else’s physical presence; “we’ll have in-person negotiations” or “I’d love an in-person consultation.”

Are you trying to hyphenate Task? Unfortunately it cannot be hyphenated because it only contains one syllable.

Hyphenation of prework This word can be hyphenated and contains 2 syllables as shown below.

Here’s the rule: Hyphenate a compound adjective when it precedes the word it modifies. The engine was well designed. *Note: Do not use a hyphen if one of the modifiers ends in ly.

Meaning “not” in phrases taken from Latin and some other languages, non is a separate word and is not hyphenated: non compos mentis, persona non grata. As non- is a living prefix, the list of words having the prefix non- is practically unlimited.

Hyphenation of nonmember This word can be hyphenated and contains 3 syllables as shown below.

Hyphenation of restock This word can be hyphenated and contains 2 syllables as shown below.

Hyphenation of streamlined This word can be hyphenated and contains 2 syllables as shown below.

No hyphen because you can take out the word “fat” and it still makes sense.

Hyphenation of fat Unfortunately it cannot be hyphenated because it only contains one syllable.

If you are inclined to hyphenate a prefixed word or a compound word, double-check a dictionary or a style guide for prevailing style before you commit yourself. There’s no hyphen, and thus no irony, in nonhyphenated.

Hyphenation of low-fat Unfortunately it cannot be hyphenated because it only contains one syllable.

Prefixes generally do not take following hyphens before the words to which they are affixed, except in certain circumstances. For example, b and p are both bilabial plosive consonants, and a hyphen is often inserted (e.g. sub-problem), although not necessarily (e.g. subpoena, subpopulation, subpleural, subpyloric).