Hyphen in Compound Nouns
The Hyphen
Rulebase Summary
Use hyphens between two or more words that combine to form a single idea and function as a noun. These compound nouns name a thing or concept that is distinct from the individual words. Examples include free-for-all, know-how, no-brainer, people-pleaser, switch-hitter, one-upmanship, triple-dippers, and goings-on.
Examples
A. The whole meeting turned into a free for all.
A. The whole meeting turned into a free-for-all.
Free-for-all is a compound noun — hyphenate all elements.
Q. Did she have any know how in that area?
Q. Did she have any know-how in that area?
Know-how functions as a single noun and requires a hyphen.
Transcript Notes
Follow the dictionary form for compound nouns — there is no predictability as to whether a compound will be one word, hyphenated, or two words, and the noun form may differ from the verb form.
Hyphenate two nouns with different meanings that refer to the same person or thing (a slash may also be used). Hyphenate compound nouns that repeat, rhyme, or change a vowel. Hyphenate nouns with an understood 'to,' 'through,' or 'and' between them. Hyphenate when the compound has no noun form in it. Use the appropriate form to distinguish meaning when a hyphen changes the sense of the compound. Cross-reference between dictionaries if a word dominates the transcript.
Style Guide References (8)
Morson's
BGGP
BGGP
BGGP
BGGP
BGGP
BGGP
BGGP