Blog about English
Forming and using compound adjectives.
Compound adjectives consist of two or more words functioning together as a single adjective.
They act as one unit to describe a noun.
Many compound adjectives are written with a hyphen before a noun.
Examples include well-known author, high-quality product and full-time job.
Compound adjectives containing numbers usually use a singular noun.
Examples include a ten-year-old child and a five-minute break.
Many compound adjectives follow common formation patterns.
Examples include long-distance, last-minute, well-known and highly respected.
Compound adjectives may also appear after linking verbs.
Examples include The actor is well known and The equipment is state of the art.
Hyphens help show that multiple words function together as one adjective.
Correct hyphenation often prevents ambiguity.
English compound adjectives may be written as separate words, one word or hyphenated forms.
Spelling conventions vary according to usage and dictionaries.
Present and past participles frequently appear in compound adjectives.
Examples include time-consuming, heart-breaking and well-prepared.
Some compound adjectives become established vocabulary items with fixed spellings.
Examples include old-fashioned, world-famous and good-looking.
English speakers regularly create new compound adjectives when needed.
This flexibility makes compound adjectives highly productive in both speech and writing.
Hyphenation practices may differ between style guides and varieties of English.
Writers should follow the conventions appropriate for their audience and context.
Use the correct structure and hyphenation when forming compound adjectives.
Common mistakes include using plural nouns after numbers, omitting necessary hyphens and treating compound adjectives as separate modifiers.