269. Other Hyphenated Compound Words

We’ve talked all week about compound nouns. Yesterday we studied hyphenated compound nouns.
It’s important to know that some hyphenated compound words are not compound nouns.

These hyphenated compound words are used as adjectives to modify a noun:
two-week vacation
ten-minute walk
short-haired cat
part-time job
long-lasting mascara
ice-cold soda
brand-new car

Some hyphenated compound words are used as adjectives to modify a noun.

  • It’s your turn. Find the two words in this sentence that should be hyphenated to make a compound adjective. That middle aged man is my father. Did you choose to hyphenate middle-aged? Good for you!