Compound Adjectives

Compound adjectives are usually hyphenated (although we sometimes don’t bother putting in the hyphen unless we need it for purposes of comprehension). British and American English differ greatly on this, so it’s safer to put the hyphen in if you’re writing for British readers.

She doesn’t have any post-secondary education, but she is very well-read.

I prefer the light blue sweater.

Mr. Lake is teaching an under-water photography course.

Their courses are sub-standard.

You don’t need to hyphenate them if they’re capitalized, though.

Did you get the Super-Saver coupons?

Did you get the Super Saver coupons?

You can also create a compound adjective by combining an adverb and an adjective. Again, the British sometimes hyphenate these, while the American’s don’t usually bother.

She is a remarkably-intelligent girl.

He looks like a well-fed baby.

While formal writing is not likely to use compound adjectives like the following ones, you can use them in less-formal compositions and creative writing. Quotation marks or italics can be used.

She gave me a “you’re gonna die” look.

He’s away so often, he was given an in absentia award.