Common mistake missing hyphen in 'twin-engined

Common Grammar Mistake: Missing Hyphen in Compound Adjectives

One of the most common grammar mistakes that often goes unnoticed is the omission of a hyphen in compound adjectives. A compound adjective is formed when two or more words are used together to describe a noun. In such cases, a hyphen should be used to join the words and create a single adjective.

Let's take a look at some examples:

  • He flew a twin engine plane. - Incorrect
  • He flew a twin-engined plane. - Correct

In the incorrect example, the compound adjective "twin engine" is missing a hyphen. The correct version should use a hyphen to join the words "twin" and "engined" to form "twin-engined plane."

Here are a few more examples:

  • She wore a light blue dress. - Incorrect
  • She wore a light-blue dress. - Correct
  • He lived in a two story house. - Incorrect
  • He lived in a two-story house. - Correct

Using a hyphen in compound adjectives helps to clarify the intended meaning and avoid any confusion. When in doubt, it's always a good idea to consult a grammar checker like Linguix, which can catch such mistakes and offer suggestions for improvement.

missing hyphen in 'twin-engined mistake examples

  • Incorrect:
    He drives a twin engined Mustang.

    Correct:
    He drives a twin-engined Mustang.

  • Incorrect:
    He drives a twin engined Mustang.

    Correct:
    He drives a twin-engined Mustang.

  • Incorrect:
    He is driving a car with a four stroke engine.

    Correct:
    He is driving a car with a four-stroke engine.

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