X-year-Old + Noun or X-year Old + Noun
Moderator: Official Reviewer Representatives
- John Owen
- Book of the Month Participant
- Posts: 934
- Joined: 01 Jul 2018, 09:51
- Currently Reading: Baggage
- Bookshelf Size: 155
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-john-owen.html
- Latest Review: All Body Bags and No Knickers by Shawe Ruckus
- 2024 Reading Goal: 52
- 2024 Goal Completion: 123%
X-year-Old + Noun or X-year Old + Noun
What are your thoughts? Is there a valid reason for the way the author writes it (say, ten-year old boy instead of ten-year-old boy).
- MsH2k
- Book of the Month Participant
- Posts: 4723
- Joined: 31 Jul 2019, 11:11
- Favorite Book: Crushing
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 366
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-msh2k.html
- Latest Review: Lilleah by eelonqa K harris
My initial response to your question seemed straightforward: I agreed with your reasoning that it was an error. Then, I searched for a reference to support our position and found this little provision for using an en dash in certain multi-word modifiers. Aargh! I avoid using the middle-length dash whenever possible. The concept is when you have a phrase with multiple modifiers, if there is a compound noun, keep it open and use the en dash to more clearly identify the descriptive units. Aargh again! The first two references below cover this scenario, but it does not apply in your case. I just threw it in for free because I found it interesting.
Although hyphens can sometimes be omitted if the meaning is clear, having hyphens for only part of the phrasal adjective does not add clarity, and I would mark it as an error. The last reference supports this stance.
Thank you for asking your question. I learned something today!
https://www.grammarbook.com/blog/defini ... t-precede/
https://www.editorgroup.com/blog/to-hyp ... hyphenate/
https://www.tckpublishing.com/year-old-hyphen/
Rosa Parks
- kipper_
- Previous Member of the Month
- Posts: 129
- Joined: 28 Jul 2022, 21:38
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 6
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-kipper.html
- Latest Review: And Then I Met Margaret by Rob White
“Ten-year-old boy” reads like the age (ten) is important.
“Ten-year old boy” reads like the given age (ten) is considered to be old.
By opting for the latter example, you run the risk of supplying information that you’re not intending to convey.
- Emily Meadows
- In It Together VIP
- Posts: 571
- Joined: 29 Sep 2022, 15:15
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 78
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-emily-meadows.html
- Latest Review: Forever Young by Karma Wiederrick