Common mistake Missing hyphens in compounds

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.

Missing hyphens in compounds mistake examples

  • Incorrect:
    Rudolph is a two year old reindeer.

    Correct:
    Rudolph is a two-year-old reindeer.

  • Incorrect:
    She is an adorable 29 year old cat.

    Correct:
    She is an adorable 29-year-old cat.

  • Correct:
    Rudolph is two years old.
  • Correct:
    Rudolph is two years old actually
  • Correct:
    It is located one hour's drive from Barcelona.
  • Incorrect:
    Rudolph is a two year-old reindeer.

    Correct:
    Rudolph is a two-year-old reindeer.

  • Incorrect:
    The decision requires a two thirds majority.

    Correct:
    The decision requires a two-thirds majority.

  • Correct:
    Only a majority of two thirds would be enough.
  • Incorrect:
    Rudolph is a two-year old reindeer.

    Correct:
    Rudolph is a two-year-old reindeer.

  • Correct:
    Rudolph is two years old.
  • Incorrect:
    France has a 35 hour working week.

    Correct:
    France has a 35-hour working week.

  • Incorrect:
    He won the 100 metre sprint.

    Correct:
    He won the 100-metre sprint.

  • Incorrect:
    Lara handed me a 15 foot pole.

    Correct:
    Lara handed me a 15-foot pole.

  • Incorrect:
    An eighteen inch monitor is too big for my desk.

    Correct:
    An eighteen-inch monitor is too big for my desk.

  • Incorrect:
    Tom's one hour workout was very intense.

    Correct:
    Tom's one-hour workout was very intense.

  • Incorrect:
    He filed a protest (Below) against AEP/CSW's 3 year update request.

    Correct:
    He filed a protest (Below) against AEP/CSW's 3-year update request.

  • Correct:
    There's only one week till Easter Sunday.
  • Correct:
    There's only one day left.
  • Correct:
    I visited my country one week ago.
  • Incorrect:
    The country has an over 5,000 year history of producing wine.

    Correct:
    The country has an over 5,000-year history of producing wine.

  • Incorrect:
    The earth has an over 5,000,000 year history.

    Correct:
    The earth has an over 5,000,000-year history.

  • Incorrect:
    FedEx 2 day delivery.

    Correct:
    FedEx 2-day delivery.

  • Incorrect:
    Some states require a 30/60 day warranty on major components.

    Correct:
    Some states require a 30/60-day warranty on major components.

  • Incorrect:
    Have a nice time tonite and for the three day weekend.

    Correct:
    Have a nice time tonite and for the three-day weekend.

  • Correct:
    He indicated that he hoped to one day work on the official supplement.
  • Correct:
    The use of the roadstead in front of St Peter Port by over 100 cruise ships a year is bringing over 100,000 day trip passengers to the island each year.
  • Incorrect:
    Florida has seen the largest single day increase of COVID-19 infections.

    Correct:
    Florida has seen the largest single-day increase of COVID-19 infections.

  • Incorrect:
    Sign the contract and get 4 day work weeks.

    Correct:
    Sign the contract and get 4-day work weeks.

  • Incorrect:
    Sign the contract and get 4 day workweeks.

    Correct:
    Sign the contract and get 4-day workweeks.

  • Incorrect:
    Instead of maintaining 6 page templates for each language...

    Correct:
    Instead of maintaining 6-page templates for each language...

  • Correct:
    The tree will one day bear fruits.
  • Incorrect:
    He is her right hand man.

    Correct:
    He is her right-hand man.

  • Correct:
    His left hand felt numb.
  • Correct:
    He talked to them with his left hand holding a gun.
  • Incorrect:
    You'll see the bank on the left hand side of the hospital.

    Correct:
    You'll see the bank on the left-hand side of the hospital.

  • Correct:
    She moved her right hand away from his.
  • Correct:
    I hurt my right hand yesterday.
  • Incorrect:
    This is all about English speaking people.

    Correct:
    This is all about English-speaking people.

  • Correct:
    This is all about English-speaking people.
  • Correct:
    When you hear the English speaking French, you have to laugh.
  • Correct:
    There is an old joke about the English speaking loudly to foreigners.
  • Correct:
    When I hear an Italian speaking, I remember the wonderful holidays in Italy.
  • Correct:
    We're lost! If those people are Italian speaking, ask them for directions.
  • Correct:
    We're lost again! Aren't they english speaking people from our hotel? Ask them for directions.
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