Handling Hyphens Name ______________________
When you join two or more words to form a single modifier preceding a noun, add a temporary
hyphen: a two-year-old child. If the same words appear after the noun, a hyphen is usually not
necessary: the child was two years old. However, some compound modifiers are permanently
hyphenated, such as first-class, well-known, part-time, and old-fashioned. Check a dictionary to
be sure.
Hyphen Rules to Remember
• Do hyphenate a compound modifier before a noun. (She ran a home-based business.)
Add or delete hyphens as appropriate in the following sentences. Mark “C” if a sentence is
correct.
1. Managers must revise the company’s five year business plan.
2. The commission will consider every taxpayer inquiry on a case by case basis.
3. We sought up to date information from the consultant who was well known for his expertise.
4. Only a highly regarded architect will be considered for the proposed building.
5. The contract included a number of non-binding but important suggestions.
Key
1. five-year
2. case-by-case