Hyphen question
I would appreciate some help with a hyphen issue, please.
I'm writing about fodder beet (a type of crop) and need to distinguish between varieties based on their percentage of dry matter (DM). So, there are low DM percentage fodder beet, medium DM percentage fodder beet and high DM percentage fodder beet.
I believe it's correct to say: 'when using a low-DM-percentage fodder beet you should do xyz' (BUT 'not all fodder beet have a low DM percentage').
My logic for hyphenating low, DM and percentage is that I would also say: 'I prefer to use a low-carbon-content fuel'.
Do others of you agree? I'm happy to be corrected 
Thanks.
Top answer
I would say that "low-DM-percentage fodder beet" is technically correct, but many people would leave out the hyphens. I think that people (if they consciously consider it) feel that the hyphens are too fussy and complicated, and so would just write "low DM percentage fodder beet". So I guess it's your choice.
- I would say that "low-DM-percentage fodder beet" is technically correct, but many people would leave out the hyphens.
- I think that people (if they consciously consider it) feel that the hyphens are too fussy and complicated, and so would just write "low DM percentage fodder beet".
- So I guess it's your choice.
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I would say that "low-DM-percentage fodder beet" is technically correct, but many people would leave out the hyphens. I think that people (if they consciously consider it) feel that the hyphens are too fussy and complicated, and so would just write "low DM percentage fodder beet". So I guess it's your choice.
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