Please explain why "brightly coloured" should not be hyphenated

JJ Cooper · Jun 17, 2008

It was a question asked for an advertised editing role. I'd be no good at the role because I don't know the answer. But, now it has me wondering.

Any thoughts on why "brightly coloured" should not be hyphenated?

JJ

Appalachian Writer · Jun 17, 2008

Hyphenated words are usually two nouns that come together to form a separate word. In this case, brightly is an adverb modifying the noun, ergo no hyphen required as the modifying word is in its natural position.

Carmy · Jun 17, 2008

It's a grammar rule. No words ending in LY should be hyphenated.

Just don't ask me where you can find that rule. Maybe our grammer gurus could tell us.

Matera the Mad · Jun 17, 2008

App.W. said it aptly.

JJ Cooper · Jun 17, 2008

Top of the class for you all. Cheers.

JJ

ideagirl · Jun 20, 2008

JJ Cooper said:
It was a question asked for an advertised editing role. I'd be no good at the role because I don't know the answer. But, now it has me wondering.
Any thoughts on why "brightly coloured" should not be hyphenated?

People may get confused about this because compound adjectives ARE hyphenated when they precede the noun they modify (e.g., "a blue-colored sweater"), and structurally that looks similar to "brightly colored sweater."

But a compound adjective is made up of two or more adjectives (blue + colored) and/or two or more nouns ("a two-year-old child": two and year are nouns, old is an adjective). As the first poster correctly pointed out, "brightly" is an adverb--thus, "brightly colored" is not a compound adjective. So no hyphen.

job · Jun 22, 2008

Because the Chicago Manual of Style says not.

7.87 Adverbs ending in 'ly' . Compounds formed by an adverb ending in ly plus an adjective or participle (such as largely irrelevant or smartly dressed) are not hyphenated either before or after a noun, since ambiguity is virtually impossile.

Similar compounds formed by adverbs that do not end in ly are hyphenated.

Well-known actresses and fast-growing plants are examples where adverbs require a hyphen when placed before a noun.

None of this has to make sense, you understand.

Write4U2 · Jun 25, 2008

JJ Cooper said:
Top of the class for you all. Cheers.

JJ

Was this a test?!!

I wouldn't have passed, cause I didn't know!

JJ Cooper · Jun 25, 2008

No test from me.

I noticed it as part of an job ad for an editor. So I guess it was a test if you were applying for the role. I had no hope too. Just curious to find out the answer.

JJ

Please explain why "brightly coloured" should not be hyphenated

JJ Cooper

.

Appalachian Writer

Somewhere in the hills....

Carmy

Matera the Mad

Bartender, gimme a Linux Mint

JJ Cooper

.

ideagirl

job

In the end, it's just you and the manuscript

Write4U2

JJ Cooper

.