Compound Words–When To Hyphenate

Today’s post is about compound words. We use them every day, yet just a handful can use them correctly. Too often, I see writers just cramming words together or sticking hyphens where they don’t belong. Don't feel bad. We've all done it before. Hopefully, you won't do it again after reading this post. Here's a simplified answer. 

Compound words, by definition, are two or more words put together to form a new word or new meaning. There are three categories of compound words: closed, open, and hyphenated. I'll explain each of them in detail with examples.

Closed Compounds are when words are joined together to make a new one like keyboard (key+board), crosswalk, everything, upside, moonlight, coordinate, multicultural, etc.

Open Compounds have a space between them, but you read them together as one to form a new meaning. Ex: middle class, half sister, post office, real estate, etc.

Hyphenated Compounds are obviously words that are connected by hyphens like mother-in-law, editor-in-chief, well-being, high-priced, etc.

Okay, here’s where it gets tricky. The hyphen part. Hyphenate when words form an adjective that precedes a noun (what is being modified) but not when it follows a noun. Do not hyphenate words ending in “ly.” I'm going to show you both, but first, I'll show you examples of all three compounds. 

*Rick was a firefighter. (Closed compound.)

*Rick was well respected. (Open compound.)

*Rick was a well-respected firefighter. (It becomes a hyphenated compound after being placed before a noun, which is closed compound.)

*They have highly trained employees. 

*Their employees are highly trained. ("ly" word, so no hyphens in either of them.)

There are exceptions such as well being, which can be used with or without a hyphen. 

It's impossible to list all the exceptions and examples in a single post. And no one expects a writer to be perfect in English and grammar. After all, that's why editors exist. However, all writers should continuously learn and research to improve their writing skills. Master the craft of creative writing with the right editor by your side as your guide. And you will, one day, produce a piece that you can proudly call your own.

Thanks for visiting my blog. And visit my Editor Website 
Happy writing~

Comma 101: Everything Writers Should Know About Commas

Misusing a comma is the number one cause of punctuation error. Even the seasoned writers misplace it once in a while. So, are the correct placement and usage of commas really that important? Hell yes. Let me show you a short-and-sweet example (some of you may have seen a similar example before).

1.    Don’t kill, Mom.

2.    Don’t kill Mom.

See the difference? In number 1, you’re telling Mom not to kill. In number 2, you’re telling another person not to kill Mom. Get it? That single comma changed the entire meaning of the sentence. Here is a comprehensive guide to help you learn all about commas. Study it. Especially if you want to call yourself a writer.

1.    Before coordinating conjunctions (and/or/but/yet…) to join independent clauses.

Ex: I went home, but you went to school.

2.    After the clause with subordinating conjunctions (after/when/because…).

Ex: Because I went home, you went to school.

3.    After conjunctive adverbs (however, hence, instead…). Don’t forget to place semicolons before them. Exceptions are when they’re used as interrupters; then, you will wrap them with commas instead of a semicolon and a comma. The example is shown in number 4.

Ex: I went home; however, you went to school.

4.    Around interrupters-adjective/appositives/parenthetical clauses, etc.

Ex: The book, which was covered in dust, appeared old.

5.    Series of three or more items. The red comma is called a serial comma or Oxford comma. (Omission in newspaper articles is one of the few exceptions.) 

Ex: I want to eat cookies, candies, and pancakes.

6.    Between coordinate adjectives (more than one adjective).

Ex: I love cold, hard cash.

7.    After introductory clauses (prepositional/participial/adverbial, etc.)

Ex: Kicking, I ran after the ball. As the door closed, I screamed.

8.    Expression of contrast.

Ex: I want you, not him.

9.    Before confirmatory questions.

Ex: You want me, don’t you?

10.  In between dates, addresses, etc.

Ex: My date of birth is August 21, 1981, and my address is 25 Lalaland Street, Fantasy Island.

11.  Names and titles.

Ex: Tom Park, Ph.D., (Tom Park, PhD) is my mentor. 
In academic papers, refer to the style being used such as APA, MLA, Chicago Style, etc. 

12.  To clarify unreadable word groups and miscellaneous.

Ex: A few weeks before, I saw her. I’ll do it, just to be sure.

Whew. I think I’ve got all of them. I hope. Well, since you’re here, check out my other writing/editing tip posts. If you need an editor, please visit my editing website and try my free, sample edits. Thanks for visiting my blog. Happy writing~