hyphens

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karo.ambrose

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Hi... I'm new here. So how do i write this:
"She was a fourteen-year old girl"
or
"She was a fourteen year-old girl"
perhaps a dumb question, but thanks in advance for the help
 

Wordworm

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karo.ambrose said:
Hi... I'm new here. So how do i write this:
"She was a fourteen-year old girl"
or
"She was a fourteen year-old girl"
perhaps a dumb question, but thanks in advance for the help

Not that it's what you asked, but...isn't it somewhat redundant to say 'she' is a 'girl'?

...She was fourteen years old...
 

karo.ambrose

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okay... sorry. so, if i say, "she was fourteen years old", there would be no hyphens, but if I say "Elaine was a fourteen-year-old girl running for president" there would be all hyphens???
 

Serena Casey

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"Fourteen-year-old" is a compound modifier. If it helps, think of it this way: "Fourteen," "year," and "old" all modify girl, but only together. Separately, they don't. She's not a "fourteen girl," she's not a "year girl," and she's not an "old girl." But she is a "fourteen-year-old girl."

Another trick: If you can put "and" between the modifiers and it still makes sense, then there should be no hyphens.
She is a fourteen and year and old girl. Doesn't work.
She is a tall and slim and friendly girl. Works.
 
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