RULES FOR COMPOUND ADJECTIVES
Compound adjectives are modifying phrases made up of two or more words. They can be joined by a hyphen, appear as a single word, or appear as two separate words. Always check your dictionary before using compound adjectives in writing.
Here we will see three common patterns for compound adjectives.
1. - ADJECTIVE + NOUN + ED
(absent-minded, long-spirited, long-winded, soft-hearted)
When preceding a noun, these compound adjectives are usually
written with a hyphen unless they are one word.
2. - ADVERB + PAST PARTICIPLE
(much-loved, well-dressed, highly acclaimed, widely respected)
Compounds with adverbs ending in “ly” are never hyphenated.
Other adverbs are usually hyphenated before but not after the noun.
3. - ADJECTIVE, ADVERB, OR NOUN + PRESENT PARTICIPLE
(easygoing, forward-looking, thought-provoking)
When preceding a noun, these compounds are usually
written with a hyphen unless they are one word.
MSR/mbs
