[Forum] RE: MW Uses En Dash Instead of Hyphen in Word Divisions

What makes you say that they are using an en-dash instead of a hyphen? When I look at the punctuation section in the back of the book, it mentions the dash and the hyphen. The dash seems to be what we call the em-dash, and the hyphen is just the hyphen. In the hyphen section they do mention the e

[Forum] RE: Hyphen usage

No hyphen needed. See [url=http://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/16/ch05/ch05_sec091.html]CMOS 5.91[/url]. Why not? Because the meaning is clear without the hyphen, and adding the hyphen clutters up the sentence.

[Forum] RE: Hyphen, or not?

Why would it definitely be a hyphen? Credit card is also a two-word noun and never takes a hyphen. I vote for no hyphen.

[Forum] RE: Formula for determining hyphen inclusion after "-ly" words

The "no hyphen with -ly ever" thing is a myth. I thought that was common knowledge. It's true they hardly ever need a hyphen, but it's totally okay to use one to avoid the rare case of ambiguity. There's nothing special about -ly except that it rarely needs a hyphen.

[Forum] back pay

Although "back pay" is not in the dictionary, would you agree that my examples below are correct? Please answer each one. Thank you very, very much!!! 1) The employees are entitled to back pay. (As a noun, no hyphen?) 2) The employees should be back paid. (Hyphen, or no?) 3) Did the company bac

[Forum] RE: Another hyphen question

I'm wondering if any hyphen is needed at all in either examples. If "then" means "former," would you include a hyphen if the word were "former" instead of "then"? I wouldn't.

[Forum] RE: Adverb as part of the subject

Although "fashionably late" isn't a noun, it's functioning as one in that sentence. I concur with my colleagues that no hyphen should be used. You said that you and the author disagree. Which side were you on -- hyphen or no hyphen?

[Forum] RE: Thought provoking - hyphen or no hyphen

Very, very good explanation. I will keep it with me as I make my hyphen changes. Thank you.

[Forum] RE: Charitable Gift Annuity

If it is not commonly done for this term and there is no misunderstanding without the hyphen, there is no reason to buck convention. A hyphen is helpful if it is needed for clarity, but as there is no ambiguity without the hyphen, I wouldn't include one.

[Forum] RE: Hyphen after -ly when modifying a verb in the past participle

Garner says, "Meanwhile, be sure not to confuse adjectives ending in [i]-ly[/i] with adverbs. A hyphen is proper—e.g.: She was a curly-haired gamine . . ." So take what you will from that. The hyphen seems plenty legit to me.