Compound Modifiers

Compound Modifiers

A compound modifier requires a hyphen between two or more words modifying a noun.

small-business man

What are the following constructions called?

He suffered first- and second-degree burns.

5- and 6-year-old students showed up today for class.

suspensive hyphenation

In other words, this sentence suspends the use of degree.

He suffered first-degree and second-degree burns.

And this sentence suspends the use of year and old.

5- and 6-year-old students . . .

Notice with suspensive hyphenation:

There are only two hyphens

There is a space between the first hyphen and the “and”

There is only a space after the and

There are no spaces on either side of the second hyphen

He suffered first- and second-degree burns.