Common Mistake: Missing Hyphen in Compound Modifiers

One common mistake that many people make in their writing is the omission of a hyphen in compound modifiers. Compound modifiers are made up of two or more words that together modify another word. These modifiers are typically used to provide additional information about a noun. When a compound modifier is used before a noun, it is crucial to connect the words with a hyphen.

Why is the hyphen important?

The purpose of the hyphen is to eliminate any confusion or ambiguity that could arise from the placement of multiple words together. It ensures that the reader understands that the words are meant to be read as a unit to describe the following noun.

Examples:

• High quality furniture (incorrect): "High" describes the quality of the furniture, while "quality" modifies "furniture." The correct usage would be high-quality furniture.
• Ten story window (incorrect): The window does not have ten stories; instead, it is a window that is ten stories high. The correct usage would be a ten-story window.
• Long term plan (incorrect): The plan is not long-term; instead, it is a plan that is long term. The correct usage would be a long-term plan.
• Small size dog (incorrect): The dog is not small-size; instead, it is a dog that is small in size. The correct usage would be a small-size dog.

Remember, when using compound modifiers, make sure to connect the words with a hyphen to ensure clear and accurate communication. To help you avoid this and other common grammatical errors, consider using the Linguix grammar checker, which provides real-time suggestions and corrections to enhance your writing!