![](https://m365contenthub.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Whats-the-difference-between-a-memoir-and-an-autobiography-494x278-1.jpg)
July 15, 2024
What's the difference between a memoir and an autobiography?
Explore the differences between memoirs, autobiographies, and biographies.
Learn moreYou know what an adjective is, but what is a compound adjective? You’ve seen them in your day-to-day life, but you might not know that this very common grammatical element has a name—and its own unique usages. Learn how to use compound adjectives, so you can write with confidence.
Simply put, a compound adjective is an adjective that contains two (or more) words, usually separated by a hyphen. Some common examples are:
If an adjective is a descriptor word that modifies a noun, then a compound adjective is one that is twice as long,but does the same job—sometimes even more precisely.
Elevate your writing with real-time, intelligent assistance
Learn MoreCompound adjectives aren’t just made up of adjectives. They can include combinations of nouns, numbers, adverbs, and participles both past and present. (To brush up on the rest of these grammatical terms, check out our Grammar 101 introduction.) Below are some of the most common examples of compound adjectives, broken down into their respective grammatical parts:
Proper nouns can even be considered compound adjectives. If you’re writing about someone in a movie, for example, then the phrase “Star Wars actor” counts as a compound adjective. Even phrases in quotations such as “happy go lucky” can be used as compound adjectives.
Not all compound adjectives require a hyphen to separate its words: these are known as open compound adjectives. But most compound adjectives require a hyphen, and for these closed compound adjectives, there are rules for when to include one:
The reason why some compound adjectives require a hyphen, and others don’t, comes down to reducing ambiguity in your sentences. Consider the following example:
In the first example, we can see that the polka dots are yellow. But in the second, the color could be something else, alongside the yellow: there’s a distinct separation between the two adjectives, thanks to the usage of a comma in lieu of a hyphen. To eliminate ambiguity, consider when to string these descriptors together, or rewrite your sentence to make things clear:
Compound adjectives can be used at any point in the sentence, before or after a noun, and strung together one after another.
By harnessing its versatility, you can write more descriptive sentences that can immerse your reader in both the action and the mood. In turn, your writing will sound more nuanced and well-rounded. AI-powered digital writing assistants like Microsoft Editor can also make it easy to spot your hyphen usage, so if you can’t commit all of these rules to memory, you can rely on Microsoft 365’s software and writing tips.
It’s the Office you know, plus the tools to help you work better together, so you can get more done—anytime, anywhere.
Buy Now