missing hyphen in 'prime time television'

Quick answer

Hyphenate compound modifiers that come before a noun: part-time job, prime-time television, full-time employee. If the same words come after the noun, you usually drop the hyphen: she works part time; the show airs prime time.

Core rules for hyphenating compound modifiers

Before a noun: hyphenate multiword adjectives that act together to modify a noun. Example: a well-known author.
After a noun: most of these compounds lose the hyphen. Example: the author is well known.
-ly adverbs: do not hyphenate. Example: a highly regarded critic (not highly-regarded critic).
Numbers and fractions: hyphenate spelled-out fractions and compound numbers used adjectivally. Example: a 20-year-old student; a two-thirds share.
Retain hyphens when needed to prevent ambiguity. Example: small-business owner vs small business owner (the first is clearer as the owner of a small business).

When to hyphenate: before vs after the noun

Place hyphens when the phrase comes directly before the noun it modifies. When that same phrase follows the noun or links with a linking verb, you normally remove the hyphen.

Before: She has a part-time job.
After: She works part time.
Before: They attended a three-day workshop.
After: The workshop lasted three days.

Hyphenation and spacing

Use a hyphen without spaces: part-time (not part - time). Do not confuse the hyphen (-) with the en dash (-) or em dash (-). For simple compound modifiers, the hyphen is the correct mark.

How hyphens change meaning

Hyphens can remove ambiguity or create it when omitted. Compare these:

Man-eating shark - a shark that eats humans.
Man eating shark - a man who is eating a shark (unlikely, but possible without the hyphen).
Small-business owner - owner of a small business.
Small business owner - could read as an owner who is small in stature.

Real usage: concrete examples

Below are short, natural examples from work, school, and casual contexts to help you spot when to hyphenate.

Work

The team agreed to a part-time schedule for the contractor.
We hired a full-time analyst to manage the data pipeline.
Please prepare a week-long status report for the client meeting.

School

She wrote a five-page response for the assignment.
The group completed a two-week project in the lab.
After graduation, he was a full-time researcher.

Casual

They booked a last-minute weekend trip.
He's looking for a part-time babysitter.
We had a long-distance phone call last night.

Wrong vs right examples you can copy

Use these pairs to train your eye. Each "right" line shows the hyphenated compound before a noun.

Wrong: She has a part time job.
Right: She has a part-time job.
Wrong: I love prime time television.
Right: I love prime-time television.
Wrong: She is a full time employee.
Right: She is a full-time employee.
Wrong: We need a five page proposal.
Right: We need a five-page proposal.
Wrong: They rented a two bedroom apartment.
Right: They rented a two-bedroom apartment.
Wrong: He gave a well deserved apology.
Right: He gave a well-deserved apology.

Try your own sentence

Paste the full sentence, not just the phrase. Context often decides whether the hyphen is needed.

How to fix your sentence: quick rewrite steps

Read the sentence aloud to hear whether the words form a single idea that modifies the noun.
If the phrase comes before the noun and acts as one adjective, add a hyphen.
Reread after inserting the hyphen; if the result feels clumsy, consider a rewrite that splits the phrase or reorders the sentence.

Rewrite examples:

Original: This is a work from home arrangement.
Rewrite: This is a work-from-home arrangement.
Original: She produced a two year plan.
Rewrite: She produced a two-year plan.
Original: Is that a long term solution?
Rewrite: Is that a long-term solution?

A simple memory trick

Picture the compound modifier as a single idea. If the words together form one descriptive unit before the noun, link them with a hyphen in writing. If they come after the noun or follow a linking verb, let them breathe as separate words.

Similar mistakes to watch for

Unnecessary hyphens with -ly adverbs (e.g., highly regarded, not highly-regarded).
Missing hyphens in age or measurement compounds: 30-year-old, 10-foot ladder.
Overhyphenating phrases that have become established as single words (check style or dictionary in tricky cases).
Spacing errors: never put spaces around a hyphen in a compound modifier.

FAQ

Should I always hyphenate compound modifiers before a noun?

Mostly yes-when the words form a single adjectival unit that precedes a noun. Style guides and context can affect a few edge cases.

Do I hyphenate after the noun?

Usually no. After a noun or after a linking verb, the modifier is typically open: the job is part time; the plan is long term.

What about adverbs that end in -ly?

Don't hyphenate: a highly regarded paper, not a highly-regarded paper.

How can I check many files for the mistake?

Search for common pairs (part time, full time, prime time, two week, two-week) and scan occurrences in context to update them consistently.

When should I consult a style guide?

When a phrase is borderline, industry-specific, or commonly written both ways. Style guides settle a few stubborn exceptions and determine preferred usage in formal writing.

Check the whole sentence before you send it

Hyphens help clarity. Always read the full sentence after adding or removing a hyphen to make sure the intended meaning comes through.