WHAT ARE COMPOUND ADJECTIVES?
GRAMMARLY BLOG
Lindsay Kramer
Updated on August 18, 2021
When you’re writing about a place, how do you describe that place? You describe it with adjectives. Take a look at this sentence:
The sauna was steamy and dim.
In this sentence, steamy and dim are the two adjectives. You can describe your writing’s subject with adjectives like these and paint a clear picture in your reader’s mind. But sometimes, a clear picture won’t do... you need to paint a crystal clear picture. When you need to do that, compound adjectives are one of the most effective tools in your toolkit.
What are compound adjectives?
Compound adjectives are compound words that act as adjectives. A compound word is any word that’s made up of two or more words, like:
Take a look at these compound adjectives examples:
- Doghouse
- Fire truck
Take a look at these compound adjectives examples:
- Fast-paced
- Well-known
- Old-fashioned
- Yellow-striped
Types of compound adjectives
Not every compound adjective contains two singular adjectives. We realize that sounds a bit confusing, so this chart should explain it more clearly:
As you can see, compound adjectives are defined by what they do, rather than what they contain. Any time two (or more!) words become a single term to describe a noun, they’re a compound adjective.
Does a compound adjective always need a hyphen?
Unlike compound nouns, compound adjectives usually need hyphens. But like most grammar rules, this isn’t always the case. Certain compound adjectives don’t need hyphens, even if they come before a noun in a sentence. Here are a few examples of open compound adjectives in sentences:
- As a new lawyer, you should expect to perform pro bono work.
- My sister and I are going to a dub reggae concert at the end of this month.
- When I saw him, he had that “running on empty” look in his eyes.
- She bought an overstuffed ottoman for her living room.
- The meat was undercooked, but the broccoli was perfect.
Usually, compound adjectives that contain numbers need hyphens. For example, you might say:
- The insular culture retained twentieth-century sensibilities.
- We ate a second-rate meal at the diner.
- My brother has Type 2 diabetes.
Additionally, compound adjectives that begin with superlatives always need hyphens when they’re used before the nouns they’re describing. Here are a few examples:
- It turned out to be a very low-stress job.
- Maria was better-suited to the role than Ryan.
- When I filled my tank, the fuel I chose was high octane.
- We didn’t want to wait to eat, so we chose a restaurant that was lesser known than others in the neighborhood.
When a compound adjective starts with an adverb, it doesn’t get a hyphen. Here are a few examples of compound adjectives that start with adverbs and thus aren’t joined by hyphens:
- Neatly pressed
- Overly affectionate
- Warmly received
With other compound adjectives, a hyphen is necessary to communicate that the two (or more) words are working together as a single compound adjective. Let’s go back to an example we used earlier, yellow-striped. Compare these two sentences:
- She drove a yellow-striped car.
- She drove a yellow, striped car.
Compound adjectives in action
Although most compound adjectives are made up of two words, they can contain more. Check out these multi-word compound adjectives in action:
- I hired a web designer to create a one-of-a-kind website for my brand.
- We won tickets to the new, never-before-seen-in-this-city 3D art exhibit!
- The sauna was steamy and dimly lit.
- We live in one of the most densely populated, highest-taxed, and most ethnically diverse states in the country.
- She belted out a show-stopping, gut-wrenching solo at the end of the scene.
- “Fast-paced” is perhaps the best way to describe their last baseball game.
- I want pizza for lunch: deep-dish, extra cheesy, lightly sauced pizza with lots of fresh garlic.
Adapted from: https://www.grammarly.com/blog/compound-adjectives/. Accessed on September 4, 2021.
No comments:
Post a Comment