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November/December 2004 | Home

Ask Elaine: Confounding Compounds

by Elaine Parrish
DMV Copyeditor/EBSTC Senior Member

If you have an editing question you’d like to see addressed in a future column, please submit it to Ask Elaine.

American English abounds with two-part words. By putting two words together as a unit, we can fine-tune their meaning to go beyond that of either of the parts taken alone. Such a compound word can take more than one path: it can represent the combined meanings of its parts (a breadbox is a box that holds bread, a dinner-dance is a function at which one both dines and dances), or it can ultimately mean something completely different from either of its parts (something that is on the cutting edge neither cuts anything nor has an edge).

Together, Separate, or Hyphenated?

When a noun, verb, or adjective consists of two parts, there can be major confusion about how to properly style it in writing: are the two parts kept together, separate, or hyphenated? The rules on styling two-part adjectives (called compound adjectives) are too complex to cover in the space of one article, so we’ll look only at some of the rules concerning two-part nouns and verbs.

Two-Part Nouns

Unfortunately, there are no logical rules for styling nouns containing two parts (called compound nouns). They follow no regular pattern; some are one solid word (closeout), some are two words (paper clip), and some are hyphenated (check-in). The only way to be sure is to check the dictionary. If a compound noun is not listed, treat the two components as two separate words.

Two-Part Verbs

Verbs containing two parts can be thought of as falling into two categories: compound verbs and verb phrases.

A compound verb is a two-part verb in which the second word of the pair is not an adverb. (An adverb is a word that answers the question when, where, why, in what manner, or to what extent.) The styling of compound verbs, as with compound nouns, again follows no regular pattern. Some are solid (highlight, pinpoint) and some are hyphenated (rubber-stamp, double-space). Once again, the dictionary must be your guide. If the compound verb is not listed, hyphenate the components.

A verb phrase is a very special two-part verb: it’s one that combines a verb (such as check) with an adverb (such as in). You’ll be pleased to know that there is a definitive rule for styling verb phrases: they are always written as two words. Regrettably, writers commonly make the mistake of hyphenating a verb phrase because they see the same two-part word correctly hyphenated as a noun. For example, the compound nouns pick-up and follow-up are hyphenated; the verb phrases pick up and follow up remain separate words. Always take a look at the second word in the pair—if it’s an adverb (e.g., on, off, down, up, in, out, on), the two words stay separate.

Summary of Rules

The table below summarizes the rules for two-part nouns and verbs.

Term	Definition	Examples	Styling Rule
compound noun	two-part noun	breakdown money market follow-up	Can be one word, two words, or hyphenated—consult dictionary (if not listed, keep as two words)
compound verb	two-part verb (verb + non-adverb)	upgrade color-code	Can be one word or hyphenated—consult dictionary (if not listed, hyphenate)
verb phrase	two-part verb (verb + adverb)	break down follow up tie in	Always two words

Resources

For comprehensive, up-to-date guidance on grammar, usage, style, and format issues, I recommend the Gregg Reference Manual.

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