Consult a Dictionary for Hyphen Questions
The Hyphen
Rulebase Summary
When in doubt about whether a compound is written as two words, hyphenated, or as one word, consult an unabridged dictionary. Words go through a natural transition: they first appear as two separate words, then are hyphenated as they grow closer, and eventually merge into a single word. This process may take many years or just a few. Because the language is always evolving, a current dictionary is the most reliable authority on the status of any particular compound.
Examples
A. The eye witness identified the suspect.
A. The eyewitness identified the suspect.
Eyewitness has completed its transition from two words to one — consult a dictionary to confirm.
Q. Did you send it by email or e-mail?
Q. Did you send it by email?
Email has largely completed the transition from e-mail to one word. A current dictionary will confirm the preferred form.
Transcript Notes
Always consult an unabridged dictionary to check words when in doubt as to whether they are written as two words, hyphenated, or as a single word. Words go through periods of transition: first they appear separately, then are hyphenated, then joined into one word. The process can take many years or just a few. Compound forms are unpredictable — one compound may be solid while a seemingly similar one is two words or hyphenated — so the dictionary is the only reliable authority.
Style Guide References (2)
Morson's
BGGP