Shop talk.

Does this word take a hyphen?

Word combinations follow a natural progression over time. Whether nouns, verbs, or modifiers, or any mix of these elements, the combination typically goes from two terms (bed bug) to a hyphenated term (bed-bug) to one term (bedbug) as it becomes embedded in our language.

The easiest way to decide if a compound term takes a hyphen is to look it up in the latest edition of a good dictionary. Stick with that dictionary because dictionary spellings vary, and you want to be consistent. Remember that the dictionary spelling also depends on the property of the term: noun (workout) or verb (work out), adjective (call-in) or verb (call in), et cetera.

A term that appears in your dictionary as one word (i.e., written solid) or as hyphenated has become a permanent compound.

If the term is not in the dictionary, then each of its components is automatically a separate word (time line). Sometimes a term is too new to have made it into the dictionary. You may then create a temporary compound—i.e., write it with a hyphen—if you believe that doing so will aid readability.

There are no hard-and-fast rules about forming a temporary compound, in part because the decision may depend on the structure of the sentence.

If you would like a copy of the guidelines we've developed at SSR (they work like a dream), e-mail us at info@ssrinc.com and we'll get them right back to you via e-mail. Please. No telephone calls, letters, or faxes.

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© 1995, 2009 Shirley Sirota Rosenberg, Werner Janney