Compound adjectives are two or more compound words that act as an adjective, i.e., modify the same noun together.
How to Form Compound Adjectives?
Rule 1: Compound adjectives can contain two singular adjectives, but we can also use other parts of speech to form compound adjectives.
Here is an overview of several different types of compound adjectives:
| Parts of Speech | Compound Adjective |
|---|---|
| adjective + noun / noun + adjective | long-distance, short-term / gluten-free, vegan-friendly |
| number + noun | first-time, fifteen-minute |
| adjective + present participle / adjective + past participle | foreign-speaking, fast-growing / double-checked, deep-fried |
| noun + present participle / noun + past participle | eye-catching, self-criticising / sun-kissed, homemade |
| noun + noun | waterproof, round-neck (top) |
| adverb + past participle | overcrowded, sufficiently insulated |
When to Use a Hyphen?
Usually, compound adjectives need hyphens to avoid confusion or ambiguity, but there are also exceptions.
Rule 2: Certain compound adjectives, also known as open or closed compound adjectives, do not need hyphens even when placed before a noun.
Rule 3: We use hyphens in compound adjectives that contain numbers.
Note: If the number comes second in a compound adjective, it doesn't need a hyphen.
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Rule 4: We always use hyphens in compound adjectives that begin with a comparative or superlative if they come before the nouns they modify.
Note: When such a compound adjectives comes after the noun it modifies, it doesn't need a hyphen.
Rule 5: We don't use hyphens in compound adjectives if they start with adverbs.
Rule 6: We usually use hyphens in multiple-word compound adjectives.
Quiz
1/4Form a compound adjective correctly. She is interested in ___ photography.