Common Mistake: Missing Hyphen in "22 Inch Monitor"

One common mistake that many people make is forgetting to use a hyphen when describing measurements or quantities. For example, when talking about a "22 inch monitor," the correct way to write it is with a hyphen between the number and the unit of measurement: "22-inch monitor."

Using a hyphen in compound modifiers is important for clarity and to avoid any confusion. Without the hyphen, the sentence can be misinterpreted or may not convey the intended meaning correctly.

Incorrect: I bought a 22 inch monitor for my computer.

Correct: I bought a 22-inch monitor for my computer.

As you can see in the correct example, adding the hyphen between "22" and "inch" clarifies that the two words are being used together as a compound modifier to describe the type of monitor.

Why Is the Hyphen Important?

The hyphen plays a crucial role in the English language by connecting words or parts of words to form compound modifiers. These modifiers provide additional information about a noun and help to create clear and concise sentences.

Compound modifiers that include numbers, measurements, or quantities should always be hyphenated. This is done to avoid confusion and to ensure that the reader understands how the different words are related to each other.

Here are a few more examples:

• The restaurant offers a three-course meal. (NOT: three course meal)
• She has a five-year-old son. (NOT: five year old son)
• I need a two-hour break. (NOT: two hour break)

As you can see, using a hyphen in compound modifiers helps to clarify the meaning of the sentence and ensures that the reader interprets it correctly.

About Linguix Grammar Checker

Linguix Grammar Checker is a valuable tool that can help you identify and correct common grammar mistakes, including missing hyphens in compound modifiers. It can enhance your writing by providing real-time suggestions and explanations, ensuring that your work is clear, concise, and error-free.