missing hyphen in 'no fault insurance'

When two or more words jointly describe a noun and appear before it, they usually form a compound modifier and take a hyphen: part-time job, two-year plan. Missing hyphens can make meaning ambiguous or awkward.

Quick answer

Hyphenate compound modifiers that appear before the noun and act as one idea: a part-time job, a state-of-the-art phone. Do not hyphenate when the modifier follows the noun (I work part time) or when the first word is an -ly adverb (a highly regarded teacher).

Before a noun = usually hyphenate (a two-year contract).
After a noun = usually no hyphen (the contract is two years).
-ly adverbs do not take hyphens with the adjective they modify (a clearly written report).
Numbers used adjectivally: hyphenate (a 10-page report; a 4-year-old child).

What a compound modifier is - and why the hyphen matters

A compound modifier is two or more words that work together to modify a noun. When they appear before the noun, the hyphen signals that the words form a single adjective.

Without a hyphen, readers may attach modifiers incorrectly: "small business owner" could mean a business owner who is small, whereas "small-business owner" clearly means the owner of a small business.

Hyphens bind words into one describing unit when they precede the noun.
Position matters: before the noun = hyphen; after the noun = usually none.
Ambiguity example: "old friends and colleagues" - clarify with punctuation or rewording if needed.

Wrong: She is a small business owner.
Right: She is a small-business owner. (owner of a small business)
Wrong: Visiting relatives can be annoying.
Right: Reword: A trip to visit relatives can be annoying. (clarifies meaning)

When to hyphenate: concrete rules and quick checklist

Use hyphens when (1) the compound appears before the noun and (2) the words together answer "what kind of X?". Don't hyphenate when the modifier follows the noun or when the first word is an -ly adverb.

Also hyphenate compound numbers (twenty-one), adjectival ages (a 20-year-old student), and prefixes when required for clarity (re-enter).

Checklist: Before-noun? Joint meaning? First word not an -ly adverb? → Hyphenate.
Number + unit before noun = hyphen (a 10-page memo).
Compound numbers and adjectival fractions = hyphen (a two-thirds majority).
Use hyphens with prefixes when they prevent confusion (re-sign vs resign).

Wrong: We signed a 3 year contract.
Right: We signed a 3-year contract.
Wrong: She's a highly-skilled programmer.
Right: She's a highly skilled programmer. (-ly adverbs are open)
Wrong: They demand a two thirds majority.
Right: They demand a two-thirds majority.

Spacing, dashes, and punctuation (quick reference)

Use a single hyphen with no spaces for compound modifiers (five-minute). Use an en dash for ranges or spans when your style guide requires it (2018-2022). Never put spaces around hyphens.

If a hyphenated phrase ends a sentence, keep the hyphen. For printed text that breaks across lines, follow typographic rules for syllable breaks.

No spaces: five-minute (not five - minute).
En dash for ranges if required by style; otherwise use hyphen for modifiers.
Avoid unnecessary hyphens in closed compounds (email) unless clarity demands them.

Wrong: a five - minute walk
Right: a five-minute walk
Wrong: 2018 - 2022 study
Right: 2018-2022 study (use en dash for ranges when required)

Quick wrong/right pairs (scan to fix fast)

These are common mistakes in emails, resumes, essays, and posts. Memorize the pairs most relevant to your writing.

Wrong: I have a part time job.
Right: I have a part-time job.
Wrong: She bought a state of the art laptop.
Right: She bought a state-of-the-art laptop.
Wrong: They have a no fault insurance policy.
Right: They have a no-fault insurance policy.
Wrong: He's on a long term plan.
Right: He's on a long-term plan.
Wrong: a one way street
Right: a one-way street.
Wrong: an easily offended audience
Right: an easily offended audience. (-ly adverbs are not hyphenated)
Wrong: a day old sandwich
Right: a day-old sandwich.

Work examples: emails, resumes, and reports

In business writing, hyphens make qualifications clear and reduce misreading in job ads, CVs, and status updates.

Wrong: Seeking a full time analyst to join our team.
Right: Seeking a full-time analyst to join our team.
Wrong: We need a well paid contractor for the project.
Right: We need a well-paid contractor for the project.
Wrong: Submit a 10 page executive summary by Friday.
Right: Submit a 10-page executive summary by Friday.
Wrong: The client requires a short term solution.
Right: The client requires a short-term solution.

Try your own sentence

Test the whole sentence, not just the phrase. Context often makes the correct form clear.

School examples: essays, applications, and course catalogs

Admissions essays, CVs, and abstracts benefit from correct hyphenation-especially for ages, durations, and technical compounds.

Wrong: I completed a two year research project.
Right: I completed a two-year research project.
Wrong: She is a high school student who did well.
Right: She is a high school student who did well. (stable noun adjuncts often don't need hyphens)
Wrong: The study offers a cross cultural perspective.
Right: The study offers a cross-cultural perspective.
Wrong: A first year student should attend orientation.
Right: A first-year student should attend orientation.

Casual examples: texts, posts, and everyday messages

Informal writing tolerates more variation, but hyphens still help when meaning could be unclear.

Wrong: I went on a five minute run this morning.
Right: I went on a five-minute run this morning.
Wrong: That was a day old sandwich.
Right: That was a day-old sandwich.
Wrong: We met a well known musician at the event.
Right: We met a well-known musician at the event.
Wrong: Got my new high tech headphones!
Right: Got my new high-tech headphones!

Fix your sentence: three-step checklist and rewrite templates

Three-step checklist: (1) Is the phrase before the noun? (2) Do the words together answer "what kind of X?" (3) Is the first word an -ly adverb? If 1 and 2 are yes and 3 is no → hyphenate.

Template A (simple hyphenation): "a [word]-[word] [noun]" - use when the compound precedes the noun.
Template B (rephrase): "the [noun] that is [phrase]" - removes hyphen need and clarifies meaning.
Template C (move modifier after noun): "[noun] [adverb/adjective]" - use when hyphenation makes the sentence awkward.

Rewrite:
Original: I need a part time assistant. |
Rewrite: I need a part-time assistant.
Rewrite:
Original: She has a 4 year old son. |
Rewrite: She has a 4-year-old son.
Rewrite:
Original: The company offers state of the art technology. |
Rewrite: The company offers state-of-the-art technology.
Rewrite:
Original: He wants a cheap looking watch. |
Rewrite: He wants a watch that looks cheap. (rephrase to remove ambiguity)

Memory tricks and similar mistakes to watch for

Two quick aids: (1) Before = Bind (hyphen binds words into one); (2) Insert "very" between the words - if it fits, do not hyphenate (very small business owner → no hyphen between very and small).

Insert "very" test: if "very" can go between words, it's not a compound adjective requiring a hyphen.
Watch related errors: en dash vs hyphen, unnecessary hyphens after -ly adverbs, and wrong prefix hyphenation (re-enter vs reenter).

Usage: Wrong: a highly-effective team |
Right: a highly effective team
Usage: Wrong: re - enter your password |
Right: re-enter your password
Usage: Wrong: 20 year-old student |
Right: 20-year-old student

FAQ

Do I hyphenate compound adjectives before a noun?

Yes-when words jointly modify a noun and appear before it, hyphenate (a part-time job). If the phrase follows the noun, you typically don't hyphenate (I work part time).

Is "part time" wrong after the verb "have" (I have a part time job)?

Use "part-time" in formal writing when the phrase directly modifies a noun: "I have a part-time job." After the verb, "I work part time" is acceptable.

Should I hyphenate ages and numbers (20 year old vs 20-year-old)?

Hyphenate ages and numbers when they function as adjectives before a noun: a 20-year-old student. When the age follows the verb, write "The student is 20 years old."

Do adverbs ending in -ly need hyphens before adjectives?

No. Adverbs ending in -ly do not take hyphens with the adjective they modify: "a highly regarded professor" (not "highly-regarded").

How strict should I be about hyphens in emails or social media?

Prioritize clarity. Informal messages can be flexible, but for resumes, proposals, academic texts, or other public-facing writing, use hyphens consistently to avoid misreading.

Not sure about a sentence? Run a quick check

Use the three-step checklist: before-noun + joint meaning + not an -ly adverb → hyphenate. If uncertain, rephrase or move the modifier after the noun. Keep a short reference list of your frequent compounds (part-time, long-term, state-of-the-art) to speed proofreading and keep writing consistent.