More Hyphens: use with colors

Neeli · Sep 9, 2006

I read a rule somewhere that you should NOT use a hyphen when describing colors--pinkish purple, for example.

What about these?
red-orange?
coal-black
intense orange?

Have I hyphenated them properly?

Puma · Sep 10, 2006

Words used as a SINGLE adjective before a noun are hyphenated - BUT - when these compound adjectives follow the noun they usually are not hypenated.

In your example, I think all three of them are correct if they are preceding a noun. (But wouldn't necessarily be - The sunset was red orange. - would not be hypenated from the rule above.) In your third example (intense orange) intense is not part of the adjective, it's an adverb modifying orange.

Hope this helps. Puma

More Hyphens: use with colors

Neeli

The Khatun

Puma

Retired and loving it!