A-manual-for-writers-of-research-papers-theses-and-dissertations

traditional.20.3.1 Compounds Used as AdjectivesSome compounds are used only as adjectives. In most cases, hyphenate such a compoundwhen it precedes the noun it modifies; otherwise leave it open.Before nounopen-ended questionfull-length treatmentduty-free goodsthought-provoking commentaryover-the-counter druga frequently referred-to bookspelled-out numbersAfter nounmost of the questions were open endedtreatment is full lengthgoods brought in duty freecommentary was thought provokingdrug sold over the counterthis book is frequently referred tonumbers that are spelled outThere are a few exceptions:If a compound that would normally be hyphenated is preceded and modified by anadverb (such as very), omit the hyphen, because the grouping of the words will be clear tothe reader.Before noun with modifiera well-known authoran ill-advised stepAfter noun with modifiera very well known authora somewhat ill advised stepHyphenate compounds that begin with all and cross, except for a few words that areconventionally closed, such as crossover (check your dictionary when in doubt).Before nounall-encompassing treatmentAfter nountext that includes cross-referencesClose up compounds that end with the terms borne, like, and wide, unless the first part ofthe compound has three or more syllables, is a proper noun, or ends with the same letterwith which the second term begins.General pattern