Compound Modifier - Hyphenation of Elements

Hyphenation of Elements

Conventionally, and with the support of modern writing guides, compound modifiers that appear before a noun phrase may include a hyphen between each word, subject to a number of exceptions. Hyphens are used in this way to help prevent confusion; without their use, a reader might interpret the words separately, rather than as a phrase. One or more hyphens join the relevant words into a single idea.