missing hyphen in 'double click' (verb)

When "double-click" names the action of clicking twice, hyphenate it. The hyphen shows the two words act as one unit and keeps UI text and instructions clear.

Short rules, quick rewrites, and ready-to-copy wrong/right pairs follow.

Quick answer

Hyphenate double-click when it names an action or modifies a noun: double-click, double-clicked, double-clicking. Apply the same rule to right-click, left-click, double-tap, etc.

Verb: Please double-click the file.
Past/progressive: I double-clicked the link. / Keep double-clicking.
As modifier: a double-click menu / double-click behavior

Core explanation (short)

The hyphen signals a compound verb or compound modifier. In UI copy and technical writing this reduces misreading and keeps instructions concise.

If it names an action, hyphenate.
If it directly modifies a noun (before the noun), hyphenate.
Keep -ed and -ing forms hyphenated for consistent parsing.

Hyphenation rules and grammar (compact)

Apply the hyphen to base, past, and progressive forms: double-click, double-clicked, double-clicking. When the compound appears before a noun, keep the hyphen (a double-click option).

When the compound follows the noun as a predicate, hyphenation is still recommended in formal or technical contexts.

Base: double-click
Past: double-clicked
Progressive/gerund: double-clicking
Adjective before noun: a double-click option

Wrong: Double click the icon to open it.
Right: Double-click the icon to open it.
Wrong: I double clicked the attachment.
Right: I double-clicked the attachment.
Wrong: Double clicking the image zooms in.
Right: Double-clicking the image zooms in.

Spacing and punctuation pitfalls

Use the standard hyphen (-). Don't substitute an en dash or em dash. Remove accidental spaces and avoid inserting punctuation inside the compound.

Prefer the tighter phrasing: "double-click the file" instead of "double-click on the file" unless the preposition improves readability.

Use the hyphen character (-), not an en dash or em dash.
Avoid double spaces: "double click" → "double-click".
Drop an unnecessary "on": "double-click the file" is usually better than "double-click on the file".

Wrong: Please double click the folder.
Right: Please double-click the folder.
Wrong (dash type): Please double-click the icon. Right: Please double-click the icon.
Wrong: Double-click on the file to open it. (wordy)
Right: Double-click the file to open it.

Real usage: work, school, and casual - ready-to-copy lines

Use the hyphenated forms in professional and academic writing. In casual chat you can be flexible, but hyphenation still looks cleaner.

Work (UI): Double-click to open the details.
Work (email): Please double-click the attached spreadsheet and review the summary tab.
Work (support): If the chart doesn't expand, try double-clicking it while holding Shift.
School (lab): Double-click data.csv and run run_analysis.py.
School (assignment): When you double-click the simulator, record the initial temperature reading.
School (slides): Double-click any slide thumbnail to start editing.
Casual (chat): Double-click the pic to zoom - looks great on desktop.
Casual (text): If you double-click the clip it goes full screen.
Casual (social): Quick tip: double-click a photo to like it in the gallery.

Try your own sentence

Test the whole sentence to decide whether the phrase is an action or a modifier. Context usually makes the correct form obvious.

Fix your sentence: quick checklist + rewrites

Checklist: (1) Find "double" + "click" together. (2) Is it an action or modifier? If yes → hyphenate. (3) Fix tense and remove unnecessary "on". Read loudly to check flow.

Step 1: Locate "double click" occurrences.
Step 2: Decide function (verb/adjective).
Step 3: Apply hyphen and correct tense.
Step 4: Remove extra prepositions and spaces.

Rewrite:
Original: You should double click on the spreadsheet to see the totals. →
Fixed: You should double-click the spreadsheet to see the totals.
Rewrite:
Original: Double clicking the icon won't help. →
Fixed: Double-clicking the icon won't help.
Rewrite:
Original: I double clicked every link searching for answers. →
Fixed: I double-clicked every link searching for answers.
Rewrite:
Original: Use a double click to select the whole paragraph. →
Fixed: Use a double-click to select the whole paragraph.
Rewrite:
Original: Double click the 'Save' button so it records. →
Fixed: Double-click the 'Save' button so it records.

Examples section: compact wrong/right pairs (copyable)

Copy the "Correct" lines to keep UI and instructional text consistent. These cover imperative instructions, past tense, progressive use, adjectival forms, and UI labels.

Wrong: To zoom, just double click the map.
Right: To zoom, just double-click the map.
Wrong: He double clicked every link searching for answers.
Right: He double-clicked every link searching for answers.
Wrong: Use double click in the toolbar to open settings.
Right: Use double-click in the toolbar to open settings.
Wrong: The double click behavior is inconsistent.
Right: The double-click behavior is inconsistent.
Wrong: After double clicking, the image still didn't load.
Right: After double-clicking, the image still didn't load.
Wrong: Double click to open-don't single click.
Right: Double-click to open-don't single-click.

Memory trick and quick heuristics

Mnemonic: two words that describe one action connect with a hyphen - double + click = double-click.

If you hyphenate right-click and left-click, do the same for double-click and triple-click.
When in doubt, hyphenate for clarity and consistency.
Treat click compounds the same across documentation and UI labels.

Similar mistakes and related compounds

Treat related interaction verbs the same way: right-click, left-click, double-tap, long-press. Platform matters: use double-click on desktop and double-tap on touchscreens.

Some house styles may close compounds over time, but the safest default for click/tap interactions in UI and docs is the hyphen.

Hyphenate: right-click, left-click, double-tap, long-press, middle-click.
Check your style guide for evolving forms like e-mail → email, but keep click compounds hyphenated.
Platform note: On phones, say "double-tap"; on desktop, say "double-click."

Wrong: Use long press on the icon to open options.
Right: Use long-press on the icon to open options.
Wrong: On phones double click, but on desktop double click.
Right: On phones, double-tap; on desktop, double-click.

FAQ

Should I hyphenate double-click in emails and documentation?

Yes. In professional emails and documentation, hyphenate double-click for clarity. In casual chat it's optional, but hyphenation keeps text consistent.

Do I keep the hyphen in double-clicked and double-clicking?

Yes. Keep the hyphen in past and progressive forms: double-clicked, double-clicking.

Is it wrong to write double clicking without a hyphen?

It's common in casual writing but not recommended in formal or technical text. Use double-clicking for clarity.

What about "double-click on" vs "double-click the"?

Both are understood. Prefer "double-click the file" for concise UI copy; use "on" only when it improves readability.

Are click compounds always hyphenated?

Generally yes. Treat click compounds consistently - hyphenate right-click, left-click, double-click, and similar interaction verbs in UI and documentation.

Want a quick check?

Search your draft for "double click" and replace with "double-click" where it names an action or modifier. For teams, add a one-line style note: Hyphenate click compounds: double-click, right-click; use double-clicked/double-clicking for verb forms.