We use a hyphen inside a two-word adjective when the adjective comes before the noun it describes.
Here are some examples:
a two-word adjective
a well-known author
a high-profile client
a long-term contract
an up-to-date computer system
In each of these examples, the hyphenated adjective is placed just before the noun that it describes.
DO NOT hyphenate the adjectives when they come after the noun they are describing. Look at these examples:
The adjective is two words.
That author is well known.
My new client is high profile.
The contract I received is long term.
Our new computer system is up to date.
Only use a hyphen inside the two-word adjective when you place the adjective before the noun.
Corn that is picked fresh will be fresh-picked corn.
The plane flying high is a high-flying plane.
Housing that is off campus will be off-campus housing.
A paper that is written well is a well-written paper.
Always use a hyphen ( – ) in a two word adjective when the adjective comes before the noun it is describing.