Missing hyphens in compounds

One common mistake in English grammar is the omission of hyphens in adjectival compounds that include numbers. It is important to use hyphens in these cases to ensure clarity and accuracy in your writing.

Why are hyphens necessary?

Hyphens are used to connect words that work together as a single unit, particularly in compound adjectives. When a number is part of an adjectival compound, a hyphen is necessary to indicate that the words should be read together as a unit modifying another word.

For example:

• Incorrect: The restaurant provides twenty four hour service.
• Correct: The restaurant provides twenty-four-hour service.

In the incorrect sentence, it is unclear whether "twenty" and "four" are separate words, or if they are part of a compound adjective. However, in the correct sentence, the hyphens make it clear that "twenty-four-hour" is one unit that modifies "service."

More examples

Here are some more examples of compound adjectives with numbers that require hyphens:

• Incorrect: She bought a five year old car.
• Correct: She bought a five-year-old car.

Incorrect: He is a seven feet tall basketball player.

Correct: He is a seven-foot-tall basketball player.

Incorrect: They went on a ten days vacation.

Correct: They went on a ten-day vacation.

Linguix Grammar Checker

To avoid this common mistake and ensure your writing is free from hyphenation errors, you can use the Linguix grammar checker. This tool will automatically detect missing hyphens in adjectival compounds with numbers and provide suggestions for correct hyphenation.