I never know when to hyphenate words. Should I write first-aid or first aid?

Lalaloopsy · Nov 22, 2020

Hi, So, in this example, my character is talking about her new job.

"I really hate first-aid training."

OR IS IT:

"I really hate first aid training."

WHAT ABOUT:

"Learning first aid was easy."

OR

"Learning first-aid was easy."

ALSO:

Would you say

"special effects make up or special-effects makeup."

EXAMPLE:"

The actor wore special effects makeup for the film.

"Thanks.

Lakey · Nov 22, 2020

There is a pretty straightforward rule about hyphenating compound expressions like the ones you’re talking about. When the phrase is serving as a noun, you do not need a hyphen. When the phrase is serving as an adjective to modify a different noun, you do insert a hyphen. So:

Learning first aid is easy. <— “first aid” is a noun.
I hate first-aid training. <— “first-aid” is an adjective modifying “training.”

The makeup artist is trained in special effects. <— “special effects” is a noun.
The actor wore elaborate special-effects makeup. <— “special-effects” is an adjective modifying “makeup.”

So when you are not certain whether to insert a hyphen in a phrase, analyze the grammatical function of the phrase in the sentence, and go from there.

You can take a look at the Perdue OWL section on hyphenation for more detail and nuance.
https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/punctuation/hyphen_use.html

:e2coffee:

SwallowFeather · Nov 29, 2020

This is what I was going to say, though, I will admit, I was not sure. (I always wonder about this while rough-drafting, shelve the issue till line editing and then look it up... like my dad who re-reads the back of the can every time he has to cook...) Thank you, Lakey.

I never know when to hyphenate words. Should I write first-aid or first aid?

Lalaloopsy

Lakey

professional dilettante

SwallowFeather

Oops I just swallowed a feather