Numbers as Adjectives
A subscriber recently wrote in with a question that’s a good followup to last week’s Tip of the Week, Writing Numbers:
“When are hyphens used with numbers? Is it 13 feet or 13-feet; 12 hours or 12-hours?”
Rule: Generally, hyphenate between two or more adjectives when they come before a noun and act as a single idea.
This rule can also be applied when a number and a measurement unit taken together form an adjective, that is, when they describe another object.
Examples:
A 22-inch monitor is too big for my desk.
Nurses work 12-hour shifts.
Anthony swung his five-pound hammer.
In the previous sentences, the measurements, such as 22-inch, describe specific objects, such as monitor.
When measurements are not acting as adjectives, hyphens are not needed.
Examples:
Suzanne won the race by 25 yards.
Twelve hours later, she was exhausted.
Anthony’s hammer weighs five pounds.
Pop Quiz: Choose A or B.
1. A. I can’t believe she wrote a 33-page treatise on how to screw in a light bulb.
1. B. I can’t believe she wrote a 33 page treatise on how to screw in a light bulb.
2. A. I can’t believe she wrote 33-pages on how to screw in a light bulb.
2. B. I can’t believe she wrote 33 pages on how to screw in a light bulb.
3. A. Harold found a 110-year-old book at the flea market.
3. B. Harold found a 110 year old book at the flea market.
4. A. Harold found a book that must have been 110-years-old at the flea market.
4. B. Harold found a book that must have been 110 years old at the flea market.
Answers
1. A.
2. B.
3. A.
4. B.
March 15, 2009 at 2:36 am
Hi. I recently was asked by a friend, “when can you use “I IS”"? I said never. He said there is an instance, is this true? And if so, when???
March 15, 2009 at 9:21 am
You’re right. You can never use “I is.”
March 21, 2009 at 9:27 am
My daughter’s school has this practice of asking the pupils to clap their hands once and then keep quiet. Some teachers do it by saying “Give me a silent clap.” while others say “Give me a silence clap.” Should it be a ’silence clap’ or a ’silent clap’? How do I explain to my daughter?
March 21, 2009 at 10:16 am
Actually, neither expression makes much sense and would be called an oxymoron. But if you have to choose, then “silent clap” because “silent” is an adjective describing “clap” while “silence” is a noun.