Writing Tip of the Month
May 2006

Using Hyphens with Modifiers

How do you know when to use a hyphen with compound modifiers and why is it important? To illustrate the potential difference in meaning that can occur, consider the following example.

If you were in a restaurant and had a choice of "slow roasted chicken" or "slow-roasted chicken," which would you order? It may depend on how much time you have. "Slow roasted chicken" is roasted chicken that may be slow in arriving, whereas "slow-roasted chicken" was probably roasted before you arrived and it is ready to be served.

Here are a few simple rules to follow in determining when to use hyphens with compound modifiers.

Hyphens are used if modifiers precede the noun
When two or more words precede the noun they modify, and they work together as a single unit of meaning, use a hyphen.

all-expenses-paid trip
fuel-efficient vehicle
well-skilled carpenter
good-looking man
award-winning artist
user-friendly software
second-floor bedroom
high-level meetings
up-to-date schedule

No hyphens are used if each modifier could modify the noun
blue suede shoes

No hyphens are used if modifiers follow the noun
If the modifying words come after the noun, with a few exceptions, you don't need a hyphen.

Hybrid vehicles are fuel efficient.
The computer software is user friendly.
My bedroom is on the second floor.

Possible exceptions:
If an adjective is followed by a participle (a word ending in -ing or -ed), a hyphen may be used when the words follow the noun.
The alligator shoes are high-priced.
That man is good-looking.

A commonly used adjectival phrase may retain its hyphens when it appears before or after the noun it modifies.
I will make sure the schedule is up-to-date.

No hyphens are used with words ending with -ly
If the first word of a modifying pair of words is an adverb that ends in -ly, do not use a hyphen.

highly skilled craftsman
privately held company
nationally recognized company
wholly owned subsidiary 

For a detailed discussion on the use of hyphens, refer to The Chicago Manual of Style.

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